Blood emergency

The American Red Cross last week issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donations.

Fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July.

Donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected nationwide.

Each day, the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Region needs approximately 800 donations to keep up with hospital demand, according to a news release issued by the Red Cross. 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.

Please consider giving blood.

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.