THREE BLOOD TYPES AT LESS THAN A DAY’S SUPPLY
Two weeks into the New Year, the American Red Cross faces a severe shortage of several blood types. We typically see a drastic decline in blood donations at the end of the year, which causes a serious blood shortage at the beginning of January. Locally, supplies of type O negative, B negative and A negative blood are at less than a day’s supply. Eligible donors are needed immediately to give blood to prevent supply levels from dropping even further in the coming days and weeks, and to avert a crisis for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions.
For those that already donate regularly, we thank you, and ask you to keep it up! For first time donors or those who haven’t donated in a while, you are encouraged to come out to one of the multiple blood drives the Union County Chapter holds each month. Just one pint can help save up to three lives.
While all blood types are needed, the low supply of type O blood is of particular concern. Type O is the most commonly used blood type, and can be used for all patients. However, it is often essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and women who are pregnant. Please spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about the blood shortage and the high importance of giving blood.
The Carolinas Blood Services Region needs 1,600 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply the 103 hospitals it serves. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Below is a list of upcoming blood drives across Union and Anson Counties.
• Friday January 18 – The Union County Sheriff’s Department is holding a drive at the Agricultural Conference Center on Presson Road. The drive will be open to the public from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Wednesday January 23rd – First Presbyterian Church in Wadesboro will host the Wadesboro Community drive from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The church is located at 208 South Green Street in downtown Wadesboro.
• Saturday January 26th – Bonds Grove United Methodist Church will host a drive at the church on Bonds Grove Church Road in Waxhaw. The drive is from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.
• Monday January 28th – Zion United Methodist on Old Fish Road will host a drive from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, donating blood, or a complete listing of blood drives, 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.
