Every two seconds someone needs blood: Red Cross urges blood donations

Every two seconds someone needs blood:
Red Cross urges blood donations

(July 15, 2015) — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in August and help meet the constant need for blood products by patients. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

Summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. Despite travel and other activities that may cause some donors to be less available to give, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

With more summer days ahead, every blood donation is important in helping ensure blood is available for patients in need, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those who need it. Donors of all blood types – especially those with types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed to help ensure blood products are available to hospital patients this summer.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Grays Harbor County

Elma

8/4/2015: noon - 5 p.m., The Grange, 401 W Waldrip St.

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King County

Seattle

8/12/2015: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gravity Payments, 1455 NW Leary Way

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Kitsap County

Silverdale

8/13/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kitsap Mall, 10315 Silverdale Way NW

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Lewis County

Centralia

8/5/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1732 S Gold St.

8/6/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1209 N Scheuber Road

Onalaska

8/10/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Brenda’s Country Market, 1735 State Route 508

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Pacific County

Ocean Park

8/13/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Peninsula Baptist Church, 23802 Pacific Highway 103

South Bend

8/11/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 310 Broadway Ave.

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Pierce County

Fife

8/11/2015: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., J.L. Darling LLC, 2614 Pacific Highway E

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Thurston County

Olympia

8/14/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd.

Rochester

8/5/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lucky Eagle Casino, 12888 188th Ave. SW

Yelm

8/6/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, 201 Tahoma Blvd. SE

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.