BLOOD DRIVE at the UA Main Library Wednesday and Thursday of this week from 10-3! Feel free to walk-in, no appointment needed!

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, BHQ asked all regions yesterday to promote the need for more blood donors to make up for the more than 70 drives that have been cancelled on the East Coast. The national inventory has a shortfall of more than 2,500 donations as of today and this number is expected to increase. This press release was distributed to media today. Biomedical talking points about Hurricane Irene are attached.

American Red Cross needs blood donors after Irene

TUCSON, Arizona, August 30, 2011-- In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the American Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by the storm. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or 520-230-7295 or go to redcrossblood.org

The nation’s blood supply was low before the storm, as it is every summer, and Irene has caused the cancellation of more than 70 blood drives along the Eastern Coast, resulting in a shortfall of more than 2,500 blood donations.

Prior to the storm making landfall, the Red Cross moved blood products to the areas most likely to be affected so that those products would be available during and after the storm.

“Arizona sent 42 units of plasma last week to the East Coast,” said Darrin Greenlee, chief executive officer for the Arizona Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “While that has helped, the expectation is that more blood drives will be cancelled in the coming days due to storm damage, and the need will continue for more blood donors to step up across the nation.”

While thousands of donors responded to a Red Cross appeal for blood in July, and the inventory stabilized somewhat, the need still remains. And this storm has impacted the ability to build the national blood inventory back up to sufficient levels.

“Donations typically decline around a holiday,” Greenlee added, “so we are urging people to make blood and platelet donations this week and next to ensure that we have a stable blood supply before and after Labor Day.”

Blood donor centers in Tucson will be open on Labor Day, and are located at 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. and 7139 E. Broadway. Appointments are recommended. All those who attempt to donate now through Labor Day will be entered into drawings for a $50 gas card and a staycation at an Arizona hotel or resort.

Individuals who are at least 16 years of age, meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height), and who are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Debra Deininger

Communications and Marketing Manager

American Red Cross

Arizona Blood Services Region

3470 E. Universal Way

Tucson, AZ 85756

(520) 230-7370 (p)

(520) 820-2661 (c)

(520) 230-7529 (f)

deiningerd@usa.redcross.org

Source:
http://physiologynews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss