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The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region has issued an urgent call for blood donors.The Red Cross closely monitors national and local blood supplies to ensure donations are keeping pace with hospital need for blood products in order to meet ongoing and emergency patient care. ”There is a critical need for blood donors now,” said Joyce H. Brendel, chief executive officer for the Carolinas Blood Services Region of the Red Cross. “This summer we have had a particularly difficult time recruiting enough blood donors to meet the requirements of our community’s hospitals and the patients they serve.” Meeting this need is particularly challenging since the extremely high temperatures are keeping donors inside, most schools are not in session to hold blood drives and we are experiencing a high number of donors who are unable to keep their appointments. In the Carolinas Region, the Red Cross has seen approximately 13% fewer donors than expected. Donors with all blood types are needed, but especially those with type O negative. Red Cross officials say type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. That’s because type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, and is most readily given to patients in emergency and trauma situations. Every day, more than 39,000 pints of blood are needed for patients in the United States. Blood is used for the treatment of cancer patients, people with blood disorders, premature babies, transplant recipients, trauma victims and more. Each whole blood donation can help save up to three lives. “We urge people to make and keep an appointment to donate blood now,” said Brendel. “Chances are, someone is counting on you right now for their very life.”
The Asheville area operates a blood donation center at the Red Cross offices at 100 Edgewood Road
just off Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville.
ASHEVILLE BLOOD CENTER HOURS:
Mondays: 12:30 pm-5:30 pm
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN THE AREA: Thursday, September 2, 10:00am-2:00pm, Land of Sky Regional Council, 339 New Leicester Hwy Asheville, NC 28806, 828-251-7441 Friday, September 10, 2:00pm-6:30pm, Spring Mountain Community Club, 807 Old Fort Rd, Fairview, NC 28730, 828-628-336 Wednesday, September 15, 11:00am-4:30pm, UNC-Asheville Highsmith Center, 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804, 828-251-6600 Thursday, September 16, 1:30pm-5:30pm, Sand Hill Venable Elementary School, 154 Sand Hill School Rd, Asheville, NC 28806, 828-670-5028 Friday, September 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, Enka Middle School, 390 Asbury Rd, Candler, NC 28715, 828-670-5010 Friday, September 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, 828-254-7206 Sunday, September 19, 11:45am-4:15pm, Weaverville United Methodist Church, 85 N. Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787, 828-658-0885 Monday, Septermber 20, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, Living Savior Lutheran Church, 301 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, 828-650-0404 Wednesday, September 22, 1:30pm – 6:00pm, Leicester Elementary School, 31 Gilbert Rd, Leicester, NC 28748, 828-683-2341 Sunday, September 26, 9:00am – 1:30pm, The Rock, 273 Monte Vista Rd, Candler, NC 28715, 828-670-7625 Tuesday, September 28, 7:00am – 6:00 pm, Mission Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, 428 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, 828-213-2222
For a complete list of Western North Carolina blood drives, please visit www.redcrosswnc.org. To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. (Image provided by The American Red Cross.)
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