In response to a national blood shortage, Mercy Health in Warren, Ohio is hosting a blood drive next week. Despite many Americans being eligible to donate blood, only 3% actually do so. However, health officials are encouraging the community to donate blood during busy holiday weekends when local hospitals experience an increase in trauma cases.
Due to the expiration dates of blood and blood products, laboratories and blood banks cannot increase their inventory ahead of time. For example, platelets are only good for three days after they are received in the lab, while a unit of blood has a shelf life of about four to five weeks. This means that during times of high demand for blood products, such as holidays or natural disasters, there may not be enough inventory available to meet the needs of patients.
To address this issue and help those in need, Mercy Health is hosting a blood drive at St. Joseph Hospital in Warren on Thursday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in donating can register on the Red Cross website using the sponsor code: MERCY HEALTH. Your blood donation can make a positive impact on those in need and contribute to addressing the ongoing blood shortage issue.
It’s important to note that donating blood is safe and easy process that usually takes around 45 minutes to complete. The process involves answering some health questions, having your vital signs checked, and then giving a sample of your blood through a needle insertion into your arm or forearm.
Overall, by participating in this Mercy Health Blood Drive next week you can help save lives by providing much-needed inventory for local hospitals and medical facilities during times of high demand for blood products.
In conclusion, if you are eligible to donate blood and have some free time next week on Thursday July 11th between 10a