Blood donors get too busy to set aside time to give blood.
Frederick, Md (KM) The need is always constant for blood, and the Red Cross says regular blood donors sometimes forget to roll up their sleeves during the holidays.
Bethany Patterson, the Communications Director for the National Capitol and Greater Chesapeake Region of the Red Cross, says too many regular donors get busy during the holidays. “Also, school schedules are changing. Schools are off and things like that. We encourage people to come out and donate because it’s a critical time right now,” she says.,
Patterson says currently, the blood supply in the region is stable, but that could change. “When flood supplies fall to low levels, unfortunately, in the past, we’ve have had to decrease the amount that we give out when supplies run low. But that’s something that we never want to face. That’s a decision we never want to make. And so the need for blood donors is constant,” she says.
It’s takes a period of time for the blood to reach the hospitals after it’s collected from donors by the Red Cross. “We have a very large processing facility in Baltimore. So all of the blood collected here in our region goes to Baltimore. It’s get packaged and sent for testing. So each unit of blood is tested according to FDA standards,” Patterson says.
But with this being a busy time of the year, Patterson says it’s still possible to make time to give blood. “We often are gathering with friends and family this time of year. And so why not think about donating blood with a friend or a family member. It can be a fun thing to do,” she says.
Right now, the Red Cross says the need is greatest for those with O-Type blood, or B-Negative, but Patterson says all blood types are welcome.
To schedule an appointment go on line to redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800–RED-CROSS.
By Kevin McManus