(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jennifer Kundak for the information in this story.)
For the second straight year, the American Red Cross is experiencing blood and platelet donation levels in June and July, which are much lower than expected. The trend is significant enough that the Red Cross is issuing an emergency request for donors with all blood types to make an appointment to give.
There is a big need for O negative, A negative, B negative and platelet donors.
Do you know that blood is a perishable product? Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just 5 days, so they must be replenished constantly. There simply is no substitute.
Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. The blood might be needed for accident or burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
So, please consider making a much-needed donation at the Chelsea District Library on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 1-7 p.m.
Eligible donors can go online to redcrossblood.org for more information and to make a blood donation appointment. If anyone needs help, drop by the library and the reference desk librarians can assist them with the online process.
Kundak says she made an O negative donation on Thursday, July 11. But, she’ll be at the Aug. 15 blood drive as a Red Cross volunteer.
“It’s a terrific feeling to know I’ve helped and I invite you all to be a “Red Cross Hero,” too,” she says.
