Since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month. To help ensure an adequate blood supply, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is joining forces with the American Red Cross, Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region and the American Association of Blood Banks to stress the importance of donating blood. The Governor urges all eligible blood donors to call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) right away to schedule a blood donation appointment.
“Particularly following the holiday season, when donations typically decline, it is important to make blood donation a habit,” states Governor O’Malley. “It is our civic responsibility to ensure that our friends, neighbors and even ourselves and members of our own families can rely on a stable blood supply should they require a transfusion. There is no such thing as a spare Marylanders and therefore all Marylanders are encouraged to learn more about giving blood and schedule a donation appointment by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.”
Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 39,000 units of this lifesaving resource. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. According to Gary J. Ouellette, Chief Executive Officer for the GC&P Region, “If everyone who was eligible donated blood regularly – about 3 to 4 times a year – blood needs could be met and we could make blood shortages a thing of the past.”
The Red Cross urges all community members who are eligible to give blood to donate as soon and as frequently as possible. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) and schedule an appointment to donate blood today and save a life. Platelet donors may call 1-800-272-2123.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
The Red Cross advises the community that the demand for blood remains constant and donors are needed every day to maintain a safe and sufficient blood supply. The American Red Cross asks local donors to commit to donating regularly to help stabilize the blood supply for the area.
Donors must:
Be in generally good health;
Be at least 17 years of age, or, in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; 16 years of age with parental consent
Weigh no less than 110 pounds;
Have NOT received a tattoo within the past year;
Have NOT donated whole blood within the past 56 days.
Members of the community are asked to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE immediately to schedule an appointment to donate at any American Red Cross Donor Center or community blood drive. Information about Regional Blood Donor Centers or community blood drive locations and times can be found at www.my-redcross.org. Business and community groups interested in hosting blood drives may call 1-800-787-9282 ext. 4925 for more information.