Springfield Blood Drive Set For Next Week

The American Red Cross is going all out in April, National Volunteer Month, and is offering lots of chance to donate blood during the month. This week, the Red Cross is heading to the Springfield area where it will hold a blood drive on West Woodland Avenue.

Eligible blood donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood at the ET Richardson Middle School, 20 W. Woodland Ave, Springfield this week to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients.

The blood drive will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, April 24.

Donated blood is perishable and must constantly be replenished to keep up with hospital patient need, the Red Cross said in a press release.

According to the Red Cross, red blood cells are the blood component most frequently transfused by hospitals and must be used within 42 days of donation.

To accommodate for red blood cells being used so much, donors can do a "Power Red" donation. Power Red pulls blood from donors and separates the red blood cells from the other blood components. Those components, such as plasma and platelets, are returned to the donor while the blood cells will do on to help hospitals treat patients.

"While donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood, type O, A negative and B negative donors are urged to give Power Reds if they meet the additional eligibility criteria," the Red Cross said in a press release. "Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Similarly, type O positive can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients. Power Red donations help ensure a stable supply of these critical blood types."

You can register for a time slot to donate blood on April 20 online here or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment.

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