Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (March 18, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is encouraging residents to give blood now to help ensure there is sufficient supply to meet the needs of patients with a variety of life-threatening conditions as extreme weather and flooding in many states has led to the cancelation of vital blood drives, and more weather-related cancelations could occur this spring.
“Some areas of the country are continuing to experience flooding, which has led to thousands of units going uncollected due to canceled blood drives,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “So we’re urging our community members to give now and help bolster the blood reserves.”
Every day the Red Cross must collect approximately 12,500 blood and nearly 3,000 platelet donations for patients undergoing medical procedures and treatments at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. “We depend on generous volunteer donors to provide that lifesaving blood for those in need,” Flanigan said.
The Red Cross is asking everyone who can to donate, especially those with type O blood. “Type O negative is the universal blood type, what emergency room personnel reach for in the most serious situations when there is not time to determine a patient’s blood type,” Flanigan said. “Type O positive can be transfused to any positive blood type patient and is critical in trauma situations.”
About every two seconds in the U.S., blood is needed for surgery, cancer treatment, childbirth, anemia, serious injuries, and blood disorders, said Dr. Walter Kelley, Divisional Chief Medical Officer for the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest Divisions of the American Red Cross. “More people need to give and give regularly to meet the demand,” he said. “A healthy blood supply is critical to the health of our nation.”
Give blood in March, get a reward
Schedule an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
All who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma by March 31, 2023, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card via email and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card. There will be five lucky winners. Visit rcblood.org/help for details.
Become a Red Cross volunteer
Serve as a blood donor ambassador and help greet, check-in, and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive experience. Or as a transportation specialist, play a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact Bonnie Cook at 702-268-3207 or bonnie.cook@redcross.org or visit RedCross.org/volunteertoday.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.