American Red Cross Asks For Help With Blood Shortage (press release)

Sunday, August 28, 2005 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: health news, Natural News, nutrition

Earlier this summer, the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood through local media outlets; however, the response by the American public was not enough to ensure the availability of blood for patients in need nationwide. "Few people understand that blood is a perishable resource and must be replenished through regular donation. At least 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate, yet only 5 percent of the eligible population actually donates blood. Compound that number with longer work hours, family and school vacations and you can see how critical the situation has become," said Dr. Jerry Squires, Chief Medical Officer of the American Red Cross. "If the gasoline supply dropped to one and a half days as people headed out to enjoy the Labor Day weekend," he added,"America would consider that a crisis - we want people to be just as concerned about the blood supply."

The situation is further compounded by the paucity of high school and college blood drives. "During the school year, those drives supply anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of the overall blood supply," said Squires. "When schools are closed and college campuses are practically deserted, those blood donations go away, too."

The Red Cross will be increasing contact with former donors, reaching out to new donors, extending their operating hours and increasing their visibility through national media and PR efforts.