Americans Urged To Roll Up Sleeves Amid Blood Shortage
Red Cross Issues Urgent Call For Donations
POSTED: 9:00 am CDT July 16, 2004
WASHINGTON -- The American Red Cross is issuing an urgent call for blood donations, saying parts of the country have less than one day's supply.
Officials say some hospitals are postponing elective surgeries to avoid a critical shortage. Blood shortfalls are common in summertime, when regular donors go on vacation. But the Red Cross says this year's shortage is especially bad -- and especially bad in the Northeast.Donors with the universal blood type -- type O-negative -- are particularly needed. A spokeswoman said two-thirds of Red Cross regions report having less than one day's supply of O-negative blood.Anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health, may be eligible to donate blood. Although about 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate, only 5 percent do, according to the Red Cross."Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood," said Dr. Linda Chambers, of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services."Blood must be available at a moment's notice to help anyone in need."To donate, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or online at www.givelife.org, or America's Blood Centers at 1-888-USBLOOD or www.americasblood.org.
Officials say some hospitals are postponing elective surgeries to avoid a critical shortage. Blood shortfalls are common in summertime, when regular donors go on vacation. But the Red Cross says this year's shortage is especially bad -- and especially bad in the Northeast.Donors with the universal blood type -- type O-negative -- are particularly needed. A spokeswoman said two-thirds of Red Cross regions report having less than one day's supply of O-negative blood.Anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health, may be eligible to donate blood. Although about 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate, only 5 percent do, according to the Red Cross."Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood," said Dr. Linda Chambers, of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services."Blood must be available at a moment's notice to help anyone in need."To donate, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or online at www.givelife.org, or America's Blood Centers at 1-888-USBLOOD or www.americasblood.org. Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
