Avoid a bloodless nightmare, donate to save lives
Wed, 08/10/2022 - 9:05am
admin
By:
Suzanne Detar
According to the American Red Cross and The Blood Connection, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. That someone could be you or someone you love.
Currently, as is typical in the summer, there is a shortage of blood supplies. Both the lowcountry offices of the American Red Cross and The Blood Connection report that they are in urgent need of blood donors.
Giving blood is relatively simple and quick. And there are many opportunities to give blood within a short distance of Daniel Island and Cainhoy.
You can sign up to donate at an American Red Cross drive hosted at Providence Church on Sunday, August 21 between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Register by contacting admin@providencecharelston.org or calling 843-971-5275. You can also register on the American Red Cross website. And, you can find other American Red Cross blood drives on their website or schedule at one of their donation centers, including the one in Mt. Pleasant.
As a person with O negative blood, I know I fall short of donating as often as I should. I donated recently at The Blood Connections North Charleston collection center. It took less than 15 minutes to get there and I was out in less than a half hour. Sadly, there were many open spots available. Let’s fill those seats.
In addition to registering online to give at their donation center, you can also register to donate through The Blood Connection at one of these nearby drives:
8-17-22 at Carolina Ones’ Long Point Road office
8-21-22 at Two Blokes Brewing located off of Long Point Road
The blood Connection explains on their website, “Over 800 people need to donate every day to meet the daily needs of the hospitals we serve. Blood is only good for 42 days. It can’t be replicated or produced. It is because of our volunteer blood donors that blood is there for local patients in need of transfusions. That’s neighbors helping neighbors in the best way. The reason to donate is simple…it saves”
Not having blood available when you or someone you love needs it is a nightmare scenario. The American Red Cross recognizes this nightmare situation and is currently running a Public Service video with the title “A Bloody Nightmare.” With the tagline “Blood Isn’t Just
For Horror Movies. It Saves Lives,” the short features actress Neve Campbell and a slew of actors behaving in clichéd horror movie ways where blood is about to be spilled, and asks: “When was the last time you donated blood?” You can view it at youtube.com/watch?v=PxpdgHjZXl8.
When was the last time you donated blood? How about tomorrow?
Both the American Red Cross and The Blood Connection are offering gift cards and other gifts as a thank you for your donation.
FACTS ABOUT BLOOD NEEDS
Source: American Red Cross
● Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
● Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S.
● Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
● Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
● Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
● The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
● A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
● Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
● The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.