Red Cross Unable To Supply Enough Blood To Hospitals

WASHINGTON, Monday, July 12, 2004 — Approximately 8,000* people are injured in car accidents each day. On average, emergency rooms use between four and forty units of blood to treat one car accident victim. American Red Cross blood inventory levels across the country are so low that patient care may be compromised.

In order to meet the needs of hospital patients throughout the nation, the American Red Cross strongly urges anyone who is eligible to donate blood to call 1-800 GIVE-LIFE as soon as possible. There is currently a critical blood shortage, and without more blood on the shelves, the American Red Cross cannot ensure that hospitals will have the blood they need to treat all patients. In fact, there are several hospitals that are already affected by this scarcity.

The beginning of July marked a turning point as blood supplies nationwide were at their lowest point of the year with most of the country falling below a two-day supply and many below a one-day supply of blood. Inventory today is even lower, and more importantly, the need for blood is climbing. In fact, the demand for blood products is higher than ever.

Every day, blood is needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims. Giving blood is a safe process, is easy, and takes about an hour. Although about 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood, only 5 percent do. Donations are critically needed; please act now by giving the gift of life.

“Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood.” said Dr. Linda Chambers, Senior Medical Officer, American Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Blood must be available at a moment’s notice to help anyone in need. It will not be there without generous, volunteer blood donors like you.”

The Red Cross is appealing to all individuals to donate blood and is particularly interested in Type O negative blood as this is the universal blood donor type, meaning that it can be transfused to anyone in cases of emergencies. Again, anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please call your American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or log on to www.givelife.org and make an appointment today. Keep your commitment. Patients are counting on your generosity.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders, and the organization works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log onto www.givelife.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood or to receive information about sponsoring a blood drive. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

Editor’s Note: (*NHTS reports in its “Traffic Safety Facts 2002” that 2,926,000 people were injured in car accidents in 2002.)