Red Cross issues emergency call for blood, platelets

The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donations because fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July, according to a news release.

"We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now," Scott Caswell, CEO for the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region, said in the news release. "Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for these patients in need."

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected, according to the release. The release said the cause may be attributed to people adjusting to summer schedules, the lack of high school and college blood drives and extended vacations taken by many for the midweek Independence Day holiday.

Each day, the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Region needs approximately 800 donations to keep up with hospital demand, the release said. There also is an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets -- a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients -- must be transfused within five days of donation, so it's important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

Donations may be made at the American Red Cross Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road. Many local organizations also are hosting blood drives.