Community Corner
Red Cross in 'Urgent' Need of Platelet and Blood Donors this Summer
There are several blood drives near Beachwood.
As soon as the blood comes in, it's going back out to someone in need.
The American Red Cross released a statement recently saying the organization, and more importantly the people who need blood, are in "urgent need for platelet donors, as well as donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood."
The Red Cross said thousands of people in Ohio have already responded to the call for help.
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“We are grateful to the donors who have rolled up a sleeve to give blood or platelets to the Red Cross in the last couple of weeks, but our work is not over,” said Christy Sabaka, Communications Program Manager for the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region in a prepared statement. “The need for blood is constant. As July comes to a close and August begins, we ask eligible donors to please give blood or platelets as soon as possible.”
The reason the need is "urgent" is because there were about 50,000 fewer lood and platelet donations than expected in June. Since the Red Cross put out the alert, there's been a 15 percent increase in donors.
Find out what's happening in Beachwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The summer is historically one of the most difficult times of year for blood and platelet donations,” said Sabaka. “Many donors are still enjoying summer activities, but patients are unable to take a vacation from needing lifesaving transfusions.”
Blood and platelets are needed for:
- Accident and burn victims
- Heart surgery patients
- Organ transplant patients
- Those receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease
Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are encouraged to give double red cells where available. Type O negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative blood can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.
There are no blood drives planned in Beachwood soon. But, there are plenty nearby:
• July 30 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. South Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Dr South Euclid, OH 44121
Donation Types: Double Red Cells, Blood Notes: Donors receive a special gift from Hillcrest; an LA Fitness pass and enter airline ticket raffle!
• July 31 1 to 6 p.m. The Waterford at Richmond Heights, 261 Richmond Rd. Richmond Heights, OH 44143
Donation Types: BloodNotes: All who come to donate will receive a Buy One Get One FREE Atlas Cinema coupon!
To see a list of more nearby blood drives, click here.
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