Blood supply runs low

STAFF REPORT

CLEVELAND — The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is urging all eligible blood donors to donate this Memorial Day weekend and ensure a strong blood supply for local patients.

Low blood supplies are typical from late May through September because regular donors and their families become busy with summer activities and may neglect to donate blood. The shortage also is partly due to high school and college students’ being on summer break and not giving through regularly scheduled school drives.

At the same time, blood needs rise as increased road and travel-related accidents drain supplies—particularly during high travel weekends such as Memorial Day.

Currently, the region is below minimum inventory standards on four of the eight blood types. There is less than a half-day’s supply of type O Negative, which is often used by hospitals in emergency situations when a person’s blood type is undetermined, said Christy Chapman, communications manager for the blood service area.

Platelets, a component of blood used to help cancer patients, are also needed. Platelets must be transfused within five days of collection, and the Red Cross depends on dedicated donors to continuously replenish the supply.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (800) 448-3543 or visit RedCrossDonor.org for more information. To schedule an appointment to donate platelets, call (800) 356-3339.

To be eligible to donate, a person must be at least 17, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health. All donors must present identification.

The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region serves 19 counties, including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana, and needs to collect about 900 units of blood a day to meet patient needs in 57 hospitals, Chapman said.