Red Cross reports summer blood shortage - KDMC hosts drive July 13

The American Red Cross has reported a significant blood shortage and issued an emergency request for all blood types. Donations are urgently needed now. King’s Daughters will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 in the medical center’s Health Education Center (lower level of the Lexington Avenue parking garage) in Ashland.

The Red Cross indicates its blood supply has reached emergency levels, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. The shortfall leaves about half the readily available blood products on hand today than at this time last year.

Blood shortages are common in the summer when schools and businesses are less likely to have blood drives, but this year’s unseasonably early start to summer weather may be a contributing factor to the current shortage as potential donors got a headstart on summer activities and weren’t available to give blood.

All blood types are currently needed — especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. It’s the blood type healthcare providers turn to first in an emergency situation when there is no time to match a patient’s blood type.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Your donations are critical to meeting community needs, both for those with chronic medical conditions and those who have been injured in accidents.

The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest collection organization, supplying approximately 40 percent of the blood and blood products used in our country.

Appointments to donate blood are not required but are suggested. To schedule your appointment, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.