Red Cross Community Blood Drive
Information about giving blood:
- Every donation is important, on any given day, over 500 units of blood are needed in the Bay Area. Blood transfusions often are needed for trauma victims -- due to accidents and burns -- heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases.
- It is imperative for our national preparedness and the daily treatment of potentially fatal disease that Americans continue to generously donate blood. This act can, and does, save lives. We encourage everyone to call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment, to help us ensure an adequate supply in the days and weeks to come. Or register on-line at the Red Cross website.
- In an emergency, anyone can receive Type "O" red blood cells. Therefore, people with Type "O" blood are known as "universal donors". It is imperative that the supply of Type "O" blood be available at adequate levels to respond to a disaster.
- Volunteer donors provide nearly all blood used for transfusion in the United States. The donor's body replenishes the fluid lost from donation in 24 hours. It may take up to two months to replace the lost red blood cells. Whole blood can be donated once every eight weeks (56 days).
- Every blood donation is tested to determine the donor's blood type. Patients must receive blood of a type compatible with his or hers, so it is essential that each unit of donated blood be appropriately tested and labeled.
- While a given individual may be unable to donate, he or she may be able to recruit a suitable donor. Blood banks are always in need of volunteers to assist at blood drives or to organize mobile blood drives. To help out with any of our ILC blood drives, please contact Judy Levin and let her know which hours you can volunteer.
- There are a number of alternatives to maximize your blood donation. Apheresis, an increasingly common procedure, is the process of removing a specific component of the blood, such as platelets, and returning the remaining components, such as red blood cells and plasma, to the donor. For detailed information on this process, please visit our website and click on "Give Blood" then select "Apheresis" from the menu.
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