The Red Cross experiences two seasonal dips in blood donation, one around Christmas and another near the Fourth of July as blood donation takes a back seat to family, social and travel plans.
"We are still in a very critical need for blood and platelets, and we are asking donors to come out and give blood," said Laura McGuire, external communications manager.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, estimates say. With a shelf life of 42 days for red blood cells and only five days for plasma, the Red Cross relies on a constant stream of donation to keep up a sufficient supply.
"We always like to have at least five days worth of blood products on the shelves," McGuire said. During the summer months, that five-day supply becomes difficult to maintain as demand for blood products outpaces the rate of donations.
Most of the blood collected by the Red Cross will be used locally or regionally, McGuire noted, though it is sometimes shipped over some distance when necessary, such as during a catastrophic event.
After blood is collected from a donor it is separated into four components, red blood cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. While the donation process takes about 1 hour, the body will replenish its supplies of these components within hours, days or weeks.
All blood types are in short supply and needed by the Red Cross. Donors with blood types O negative or AB are particularly valuable as they are regarded as universal donors for red blood cells and plasma, respectively.
To find a drive near you or schedule an appointment to give blood, visit redcrossblood.org.
Laura Nightengale is the Journal Star's health and lifestyle reporter. She can be reached at 686-3181 or lnightengale@pjstar.com.
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