Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

July 17, 2008 issue

Red Cross Issues Urgent Call For All Blood Types


The American Red Cross reports that blood inventory levels are so low, it is unable to sufficiently meet the demand of local hospitals. While there is a constant need for all blood types, donors with type O positive, O negative, A positive and A negative are asked to take an hour to donate right away.

It is especially crucial for donors with type O blood to donate within the next few days. Type O is the most common blood type and is used extensively by hospitals. Type O blood donors are considered universal red cell donors because their blood can be given to most other blood types in emergencies when there is no time to type a patient’s blood. Hospitals commonly experience an increase in traumas during the summer, making the need for type O blood even greater.

“People often forget that the need for blood never takes a vacation,” said Sonny Sweet, executive director of the Watauga County American Red Cross. “Blood donations always decline during the summer months, but blood is used to treat area hospital patients every day. Unless donors respond immediately, hospitals may need to cancel elective or nonemergency surgeries.”

In the summer, blood shortages often occur because individual donations decrease, along with the number of organizations that are able to sponsor blood drives. The absence of high school and college blood drives also contributes to this annual drop in donations because these drives account for approximately 20 percent of all donations in the Carolinas Region.

The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,600 people to donate blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. Most people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors.

For more info, contact Sweet at 828-264-8226.


Upcoming Blood Drives in Watauga County

Friday, July 18—Boone Mall, 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. For more info, contact Meredith Golden at 828-264-7286.

Friday, July 25—Earth Fare, 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. For more info, contact Angela Walsh at 828-263-8138.

Monday, July 28—Bare Essentials Natural Market, 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. For more info, call the customer service desk at 828-262-5592 or misternatural@bellsouth.net.

Wednesday, July 31—Western Watauga County Community Center, Sugar Grove, 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. For more info, contact the American Red Cross at 828-264-8226.