Blood Drive by Appointment on Thursday, February 24th
Across the country the American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in over a decade, according to officials. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.
To help turn the tide, Associated Credit Union Foundation is sponsoring a blood drive 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at its main office, 6251 Crooked Creek Road, Peachtree Corners. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor keyword: ACU or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We’re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.”
Last month, Red Cross put donors in a lottery to win a package that included tickets to the Super Bowl. This month, it is offering Amazon gift cards.
All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis.
Donors are asked to eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s sleep before donating.
Blood Drive Volunteers Needed
In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists – another volunteer opportunity – provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in communities across the country. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, please visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
