Red Cross urges new donors to ‘fill missing types’

A few missing letters might not seem like a big deal, but for a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life.

That’s why the American Red Cross is urging new donors and those who haven’t given in a while to fill the missing types this summer by donating to help ensure blood remains available for patients.

The Red Cross launched its Missing Types campaign earlier this summer with a goal of bringing awareness to the great need for new blood donors to reverse a declining donor population.

For the past four years, new Red Cross blood donors have declined by about 80,000 each year. This is not just a Red Cross trend but a challenge blood collection organizations face across the country and around the world.

“When not enough people donate blood, hospital shelves may be empty when a critical patient arrives,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment of the Alabama & Central Gulfcoast Red Cross Blood Services Region. “Imagine if someone you love needed a blood type that was missing from hospital shelves. More blood donors are needed now to fill those gaps.”

Many people underestimate how frequently blood is needed. Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood.

Donors can make appointments to give blood and platelets by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Red Cross will host a blood drive in Russellville June 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Russellville High School, 1865 Waterloo Road.

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, 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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 nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit RedCross.org or visit the Red Cross on Twitter at @RedCross.