Did you know that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood? This blood may be needed by you, a family member, friends, neighbors or co-workers for many types of emergencies, such as open heart surgery, complications while delivering a baby, major trauma from an accident, or someone fighting cancer. Despite recent medical advances, scientists appear to be years away from developing a safe synthetic blood, meaning all blood must come from living volunteer donors. To try to ensure that enough blood is available, the American Red Cross has blood drives nearly every day.

Just like most products in the grocery store, blood and blood products have a limited shelf life. Each donation can be separated into three different products, which can help up to three different people. Platelets, which aid in blood clotting, are fragile blood cells that leukemia and other cancer patients need and must be transfused within five days. Red cells carry oxygen and are needed by surgical patients or those with anemia or kidney disease. Red cells last 42 days. Plasma can last up to a year. This yellow liquid portion of the blood is often used to make medicines and for research purposes.

It is important that the correct blood types be available when patients need it. There are eight different blood types and even though they are all red, it doesn’t mean that a person can get just any blood type. Types must be matched closely so, it is extremely important that all blood types be available at hospitals when patients need them. Type O negative blood can be received by anyone, and O-positive blood can be given to anyone with a positive blood type or 84% of the population. However, it is important that B-negative donors donate as they make up just 2% of the population.These are just a few examples of how much each blood type is needed at all times. Following your first donation, the American Red Cross will determine your blood type, and several weeks later you will receive a blood donor card which will indicate your blood type.

People don’t know when they will be involved in an accident and need blood, or have a family member or good friend get sick and need surgery which requires blood. Blood donated to the American Red Cross not only helps people in our local community, but also other communities throughout the country.

The American Red Cross provides almost one half of our nation’s blood supply through nearly forty blood regions operating across the United States. The need for blood in our country is currently outpacing the supply. The American Red Cross is committed to providing ample and convenient opportunities to give blood for patients in need. Some parts of our country have not collected enough blood and elective surgeries have had to be postponed or even cancelled. Through its national system, the American Red Cross delivers assistance whenever and wherever it is needed.

Please help the American Red Cross by becoming a volunteer blood donor, or by sponsoring a blood drive or by starting a One-A-Week club. For more information call Dave Liethen, donor recruitment representative, at 920-227-4247.