Area Red Cross makes appeal for blood donors

The American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region held a press conference to encourage donations, issuing a regional appeal for blood and platelets. David Palmer, American Red Cross territory manager of donor services for the Missouri/ Ilinois Blood Services Region, informed the public of the region's already critical need for blood.

Emergency service directors of both local hospitals participated, making an effort to inform the public of just how critical the need for blood is.

"Blood is like liquid gold," said Marcia Abernathy, St. Francis director of emergency services. "The ER is here for you. We're depending on you to help those who are depending on us."

Onegative type needed

"All regions are suffering from lack of O negative and O positive blood right now,"said Peggy Kitchen, American Red Cross supervisor of hospital services employed at the Cape Girardeau office. "We service 27 hospitals. I had to call 15 hospitals today and tell them, 'No, we don't have the blood you need.'"

O negative can be tranfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type. O positive can be transfused to over 80 percent of patients.

Southeast Missouri Hospital director of emergency services Rick Flynn said the hospital was partnering with the American Red Cross to preplan for July 4 because it is "absolutely imperative" to the community.

"This is not something we can wait on,"he said. "Most often blood therapy is the definitive care needed to resuscitate patients in the emergency room."

He said that with the upcoming holiday. the likelihood of vehicle and boating accidents increases.

The need for blood and blood products is not limited to individuals entering emergency rooms. Cancer patients, heart-disease patients and transplant candidates all may require blood in order to survive.

Decline in donations

Just one whole-blood donation can potentially help save up to three lives. The Red Cross believes it is important to be prepared for any kind of unexpected event where victims need blood, including natural disasters. Once blood is donated it takes three days to test and process before it can actually be used.

Summer is traditionally a challenging time to collect blood because people are on vacation, schools are closed and donors are out of their regular donation routines. This month marks the worst start to summer donations in over a decade. Donors are not giving even when they schedule an appointment.

A decline in blood donations has crippled the regional blood supply and current collections will not meet the growing need for patient transfusions through the summer months and upcoming holidays.

The total inventory for all blood types stands at less than a two-day supply; an adequate supply is three to five days. Unless donations increase immediately, the Red Cross predicts that the regional supply will continue to fall to a dangerously low level.

For those who can't donate blood but still want to help, sponsoring blood drives is another method to support the cause. Call (877) 873-5510 to hold a summer drive.

A major blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau.