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DATE: February 18, 2007
Snow and ice forces blood drive cancellations
-Donors needed to rebuild a fragile supply-
Blizzard conditions across the Northeast and Midwest have forced blood drives to shut down, further stressing an already fragile blood supply.
In the past week, American Red Cross Blood Services in Michigan and Ohio lost the opportunity to collect more than 3,000 blood donations because of severe storms that shuttered dozens of blood drives. In the Toledo area, all blood drives shut down on Valentine's Day, marking the first time in 10 years the Red Cross ceased operations there. In Michigan, heavy snows closed blood drives at high schools and community centers, causing supplies of Type O blood to plunge to emergency levels.
"The cancellation of so many blood drives in such a short time raises concerns about our ability to meet hospital needs," says Sharon Jaksa, CEO for the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. "If we don't see an increase in donations in the coming days to replenish the supply, we could find ourselves in an even more serious situation."
The American Red Cross provides for local needs first, then sends blood to areas of greatest need through a unique national distribution system.
"But when one part of our nation is crippled by weather, it affects the ability of the entire Red Cross to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply," says Jaksa. "We're all in this together in helping to save lives."
In Michigan, several blood types are critically low, with supplies of Type O-negative at emergency levels of ½ day or less. A three-day supply is considered safe and adequate for meeting the needs of patients in 127 hospitals.
DATE TIMES LOCATION
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12 Noon - 6 PM St. Ann's Church - Baldwin
Monday, February 26, 2007 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Baldwin High School
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12 Noon - 6 PM United Methodist Church - Scottville
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12 Noon - 6 PM St. Joe Civic Center - Manistee
All persons are encouraged to give blood. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. For more information on donating blood or on American Red Cross Blood Services, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
The West Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross is a United Way Member Agency.
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