Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (May 13, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is joining with Sunrise Hospital Trauma Center to encourage all Nevadans to donate blood in May during National Trauma Awareness Month, as a single emergency can deplete the blood supply of a hospital or entire community.
“The leading cause of death from trauma is blood loss,” said Dr. Chris Fisher, Sunrise Hospital Trauma medical director. “We need blood available and on hand to successfully treat many trauma victims – a single car accident patient can require as many as 30 units of blood. Everyone who can donate blood should. You are saving lives when you do.”
There are more than 1,200 serious-injury car crashes each year in Las Vegas. “Emergencies can quickly deplete hospital blood supplies, so it’s important donors of all types give now,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “And the need for O negative blood, the universal blood type, is critical so that trauma centers have a sufficient stock on hand when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type.”
When hundreds of people were wounded in the 1 October shooting, many of the critical patients were brought to Sunrise Hospital Trauma Center. “A woman came in with critical trauma wounds who would not have survived if there hadn’t been the needed blood available,” Dr. Fisher said. “She is alive today because people in our community had donated blood.”
The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and must collect about 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations every day to meet demand. “Our donors are literally the life blood for those undergoing medical procedures and treatments at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide,” said Flanigan. “Any of us could be in an accident and suffer a traumatic injury requiring a transfusion; yet, in the U.S., where 62% of the population is eligible to give, only about 3% does. We’re working to increase that number.”
Give now and help save lives
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 May 19, 2023, will receive a $10 e-gift card and be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 MLB® All-Star Game® in Seattle. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fanatics for details.
National Trauma Awareness Month & National Trauma Survivors Day
Started in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, National Trauma Awareness Month is dedicated to learning more about prevention and treatment of traumatic injury. The third Wednesday in May is designated Trauma Survivors Day where those who have survived and thrived after serious injury celebrate their achievements, joined by the clinicians and caregivers who helped them. The initiative was started by USA Trauma Survivor's Network in 2014.
About the American Red Cross
The 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 nonprofit organization depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
