RED CROSS ISSUES URGENT PLEA FOR BLOOD DONORS
The American Red Cross urges individuals to donate blood as soon as possible. In the Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, there is less than a day’s supply of most blood types, with a special need for types O and B.
“Patients in area hospitals are dependent on the Red Cross and generous blood donors to make sure blood is available when it is needed,” commented Kathy Bragg, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Union County. “Without an immediate response from generous people in the community, our ability to provide blood to the hospitals we serve will be limited.”
The blood supply typically experiences a drop in the summer; however, the current blood shortage has occurred earlier in the season and the Red Cross predicts that the upcoming July 4th holiday will exacerbate the situation.
“With July 4th coming mid-week, we are concerned that more people will take extra days off,” added Bragg. “That will result in even fewer available blood donors at a time when the blood supply will be at its lowest.”
The need for blood is also on the rise. Nationally, the Red Cross has distributed 1.6% more red cells this year than over the previous year and 9.3% more platelets (the component of blood that promotes clotting). In the Carolinas Region, the Red Cross has distributed 5.7% more red cells (more than 16,000 units) and 7.1% more platelets (more than 2,600 units) to area hospitals.
Eligible donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in general good health. Since blood may be safely donated every 56 days, individuals who donate now can donate at least one other time this summer.
Below is a listing of the June and July blood drives in Union County:
• Tuesday June 26th Clary’s Banquet Facility at 6304 Secrest Short Cut Road, Indian Trail, from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
• Tuesday June 26th Marshville Community Room at 118 East Union Street in Marshville from 2:30 to 7:00 pm
• Saturday June 30th at Shiloh Advent Church at 3601 Sikes Mill Road in Monroe from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Tuesday July 3 at the American Red Cross at 608 East Franklin Street in Monroe from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• Friday July 6 at the Agricultural Conference Center at 3230 Presson Road in Monroe from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm, in honor of volunteer Fred Clark who passed away
• Saturday July 7th at Unionville Baptist Church at 510 Baucom Road in Monroe from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
• Saturday July 7th at Bruster’s Ice Cream in Indian Trail from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• Sunday July 8th at Deep Springs Baptist Church at 1908 Deep Springs Church Road in Peachland from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
• Sunday July 15 at Allen Cross Roads Community at 5400 White Store Road at the Allen Crossroads VFD from 12:30 pm to 5 pm
• Tuesday July 17 at Indian Trail Lioness Club drive at Indian Trail UMC at 113 Indian Trail Road from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
• Thursday July 19th at Weddington UMC on 13901 Providence Road in Weddington from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm, in honor of Joshua Jackson, son of Principal Rob Jackson
• Friday July 27 at Union County Sheriffs Department at the Agricultural Conference Center at 3230 Presson Road from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm
• Friday July 27 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 700 Sunset Drive in Monroe from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Tuesday July 31 at American Red Cross Stallings at Stallings Road (Old Town Hall) from 2pm to 6:30 pm
For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, blood drives near you, or to schedule an appointment please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.
