Every two seconds, someone needs blood, according to the American Red Cross.
With the fires in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia, both in August of this year, the Red Cross has put the U.S. in a blood shortage.
The Red Cross reported that the national blood supply has fallen by about 25% since August. With the Red Cross holding 40% of the nation’s blood, the organization encourages people to donate.
The Red Cross will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, No. 9, on Frederick Community College’s campus in the Conference Center, room E126AB.
Stephanie Babyak, spokesperson for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, said if people donate blood, students can receive a $10 gift card and automatically get entered to win a $5,000 gift card.
“Red Cross holds 40% of the nation’s blood; it is important to donate because every two seconds someone needs blood,” Babyak said.
According to the Red Cross, donors must be in good health, have balanced iron levels, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated blood in the last 56 days (about two months) and at least 17.
The Red Cross takes all blood types, but they need more type O-negative blood donors. Type O negative blood donor is a universal blood type and only 7% of people in the U.S. O negative. After donating they distributed to local hospitals and trauma centers for patient transfusions.
Community College, visit the Red Cross website to find out more information about how you can donate blood at www.redcross.org/give-blood. To find out more information about volunteering, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
