Red Cross to hold blood drives in Yuma, sees lag in donations
Following a lag in donations during the Fourth of July holiday week, the American Red Cross is issuing an urgent call for eligible donors and will be holding a couple of blood drives in Yuma next week.
The American Red Cross news release shows that more than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups for the Fourth of July week than during a typical week. According to the release, this could equate to 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.
“As a result of some of the summer decline we’ve experienced, we had the Independence holiday last week so less blood drives were held and a number of donors have taken a break from donating due to vacation plans and summer activities,” said Communications Manager with the American Red Cross Arizona Blood Services Christine Welch. “Arizona Blood Services, we supply our local hospitals first which could be hospital patients that need a variety of blood products such as trauma patients, premature babies and patients being treated for cancer. If needed we do have the ability to ship blood to outside regions in an emergency or mass trauma event but we do serve our local hospitals first.”
Additionally, Welch noted that there is a great need for type O blood donors.
“Type O negative is the blood that is universally used in trauma situations such as in the ER (Emergency Room) where doctors don’t have time to match blood types,” Welch said.
The first blood drive that will be held in Yuma is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 26, from 12:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at LDS Yuma Stake, 4300 W. 16th St.
On Friday, July 27, another blood drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Banquet Room of Yuma Senior Living located at 2600 S. 4th Ave.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code YumaSL.