American Red Cross in Need of Blood and Platelet Donations

MILFORD, NH — On Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, the American Red Cross issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donations. Holiday schedules and winter weather resulted in about 40,000 fewer donations nationally during the months of November and December, according to the press release.

“We begin to struggle to get the donations we need around Thanksgiving, then into January and sometimes February,” Mary Brant, communications maanager for Northern New England said.

The American Red Cross provides 40 percent of the blood supply for hospitals, and depends on volunteers for both donations and the sponsoring of blood drives. Brant said there are 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationally that rely on the Red Cross. That number includes 74 in the Northern New England area.

Though holiday vacations and the weather may stop regular donors from giving, Brant stressed that the patients’ need is always there. She said cancer patients are just one group that may depend on platelets daily since bone marrow may be damaged during cancer treatment.

“Blood and platelets have a shelf life,” she said. “We have to be out there on a daily basis to remind people to give.”

Blood can be stored for 42 days, and platelets can be stored for up to five days.

“Thirty-eight percent of the population actually meets the criteria to give blood,” Brant said. “And of that, ten percent actually donates.”

The organization is seeking donors, and encouraging them to bring a friend or family member along. Blood can be donated every eight weeks, and platelets can be donated about every two weeks.

“If you haven’t made a resolution, get your calendars out, make a resolution to donate blood every 8 weeks,” she said.

Northern New England American Red Cross has partnered with Dunkin’ Donuts for the tenth year, Brant said. Anyone who donates blood during the month of January at a blood drive in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and some areas of New York will receive a $5 gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Brant said that New England has been lucky with weather so far this year. The Red Cross has a national infrastructure that moves blood to where it is needed, she said.

“People who donate blood with the Red Cross can know it may help someone in their hometown or another area,” she said, “but, it will save lives.”

More Information:

Interested donors should call 1-800-Red Cross (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment or find a local blood drive. Brant said the donation of blood takes about an hour, and platelets take about two and a half hours. The Red Cross RapidPass allows donors to complete their health history ahead of time, reducing some of the time spent at the donation site.

Local Drive today in Milford (Jan. 12):

VFW Post 4368

1 VFW Way

Milford, NH 03055

1:30 PM – 6:30 PM

For the schedule of other nearby drives, go to: Local Blood Drives.