Red Cross issues urgent call for all blood types

ATLANTA - With temperatures continuing to rise this summer, the American Red Cross reports that the blood inventory levels are so low it is unable to sufficiently meet the demand of local hospitals.

While there is a constant need for all blood types, donors with O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative blood types are asked to take an hour to donate right away.

It is especially crucial for donors with type O blood donate within the next few days. Type O is the most common blood type and is used extensively by hospitals. Type O blood donors are considered universal donors because their blood can be given to most other blood types in emergencies when there is no time to type a patient's blood. Hospitals commonly experience an increase in traumas during the summer, making the need for type O blood even greater.

"While enjoying summer activities, people often forget that the need for blood is constant," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. "Blood donations always decline during the summer months, but blood is used to treat area hospital patients every day. Patients depend on the generous donations of others to receive the life-saving blood they need."

In the summer, blood shortages are common because donations decrease, along with the number of organizations that will sponsor blood drives. The absence of high school and college blood drives factors largely into the annual drop in donations because these drives account for approximately 25 percent of all donations in the Southern Region.

"We want to make the donation process as convenient as possible for those who take time out of their day to help save lives. In order to avoid long waits at our donor centers and blood drives, we ask that donors call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make appointments to give blood," Edwards said.

The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,200 people to donate blood each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. Most people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors.

The American Red Cross distributes blood to more than 130 hospitals throughout the Southern Region. Donations can be made at the following locations in your community:

BARROW COUNTY

Bethlehem: 7/15/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Bethlehem First UMC, 709 Christmas Avenue

Winder
7/10/2008: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Magbee Contractors, 1065 Bankhead Hwy

7/11/2008: 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM, Barrow Regional Medical Center, 316 N. Broad St.

7/11/2008: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Barrow Regional Medical Center, 316 N. Broad St.

8/12/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Winder Barrow Brad Akins YMCA, 50 Brad Akins Rd.

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CLARKE COUNTY: Athens

7/8/2008: 7:15 AM - 12:15 PM, ARMC Medical Services Bldg, 1199 Prince Avenue

7/14/2008: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, UGA-Institute of Religion, 1450 South Lumpkin St.

7/16/2008: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM, UGA Russell Lobby, 515 Baxter Street

7/29/2008: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Athens Area Technical Institute, 800 U. S. Highway 29 North

8/11/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuckston Umc, 4175 Lexington Rd.

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DAWSON COUNTY: 8/11/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Bethel UMC-Dawsonville, 100 Lumpkin Campground Road

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FANNIN COUNTY: Blue Ridge

8/14/2008: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, TDS Telecom Blue Ridge, 3233 East First Street

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FRANKLIN COUNTY: Lavonia

7/28/2008: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Lavonia First Baptist Church, 5681 Vickery Street

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GILMER COUNTY: Ellijay

7/17/2008: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Lion's Club Bldg-Ellijay Community, 1729 S. Main St

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HABERSHAM COUNTY: Clarkesville

7/9/2008: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Bethlehem Baptist Church - Heritage Hall, 624 Highway 197 N

8/6/2008: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, North Georgia Tech-Carlton Center, Hwy 197 North

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HALL COUNTY:

Flowery Branch
7/30/2008: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PM, Wrigley's Inc, 4500 Atlanta Hwy

7/31/2008: 12:30 AM - 3:00 AM, Wrigley's Inc, 4500 Atlanta Hwy

8/7/2008: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Wrigley's Inc, 4500 Atlanta Hwy

Gainesville
7/15/2008: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Stork Gamco, 1024 Airport Way

7/22/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Harmony Hall, 4160 Magnum Mill Road

7/30/2008: 2:30 PM - 7:30 PM, First Methodist Church-Gainesville-Adult Lobby, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road

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JACKSON COUNTY:

Braselton
7/8/2008: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Chateau Elan, 100 Tour De France

Commerce
7/8/2008: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, First Baptist-Commerce-Family Fellowship Ctr., 1345 South Elm St.

Hoschton
7/21/2008: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Hoschton First Baptist Church, 99 East Jefferson St.

8/4/2008: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Village at Deaton Creek Club Hoschton, 6008 Sharp Top Circle

Jefferson
7/22/2008: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Jackson County Administrative Building, 67 Athens Street

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LUMPKIN COUNTY: Dahlonega

7/28/2008: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Dahlonega UMC-Fellowship Hall, 107 Park Street

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STEPHENS COUNTY: Toccoa

7/14/2008: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Glad Tidings Assembly Of God, 184 Collier Road

7/31/2008: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Walmart Toccoa, 3886 Ga Hwy 17 South

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WHITE COUNTY: Sautee- Nacoochee

8/12/2008: 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Nacoochee Methodist Fellowship Hall, 1371 Hwy 17