We work together every day to do important work. But today, we want to accomplish something even more meaningful. The Red Cross has issued an urgent need for donations. We work to help others every day at work but we can take this a step higher by volunteering to donate blood. This is a voluntary opportunity for each of us to help ensure our nation has the blood products needed on hand. Remember..blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life!!!!!

So SleevesUp UHC VIRGINIA and help us reach our goal. Make and keep an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross.

RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

A CALL TO HELP: IMMEDIATE BLOOD SHORTAGE:
Donors like you are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients. Hospital demand continues to outpace donations, and your help is vital. blood donation is one of the most important things you can do to help others in need. There is no substitute for blood, and it can’t be manufactured. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages from all backgrounds. Only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood. American Red Cross national blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015. In recent weeks certain blood types are less than a day’s supply.
The Red Cross has had less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks. The supply of types O positive and O negative blood, the most needed blood types by hospitals, dropped to less than a half-day supply at times over the last month − well below the ideal five-day supply. There is also an emergency need for platelets, which is the clotting portion of blood and must be transfused within five days of donation. Donor turnout has reached the lowest levels of the year, decreasing by about 10% since August.
FUN FACTS:
Over the course of a 3-hour canoe trip, 5,400 units of blood and platelets may be transfused to patients across the U.S.
During a 30-minute bike ride, 900 units of blood and platelets may be transfused to patients across the U.S.
DID YOU KNOW????
•Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
•Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S.
•Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
•Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets.
•Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
•Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
•The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
•A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
•Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
•The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
•One donation can potentially save up to three lives.
•According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
Blood Supply Statistics
The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs.
•Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood.
•13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.
•About 45% of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%).
•Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
•Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.
•Red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less).
•Platelets must be used within just 5 days.
Why Blood Donation is Important – and Who Benefits
About 328 million people currently live in the U.S. Each year, approximately 6.8 million people in the U.S donate blood. Annually, this adds up to about 13.6 million units of whole blood collected for donation in the U.S. The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood cell components to donors. Your blood donations are used for patients in need of surgery, cancer treatment and transfusions for blood loss from traumatic injuries.
Cancer Patients-Ideal Donation Type-Platelets donation, because certain cancers and cancer treatments prevent patients from producing their own. Ideal Blood Type-A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative ***Why Cancer Patients Need Blood-For cancer patients, blood transfusions can act as a resource to implement platelets back into the body after heavy treatments such as chemo or radiation therapy. During cancer treatment, blood cells that are made in the bone marrow are often at risk. This lack of blood cell production can cause chronic diseases over time which may affect organs such as the kidneys, spleen and liver.
Trauma Patients-Ideal Donation Type-Power Red, because red cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently given to trauma and surgery patients. AB Elite plasma donation, because AB plasma is needed to help stop bleeding. Call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an AB Elite appointment. Ideal Blood Type-For Power Red: O positive, O negative, B negative, A negative For AB Elite: AB positive, AB negative
Sickle Cell Patients- Ideal Donation Type-Whole blood or Power Red, especially from blood donors who are of African descent. Patients with sickle cell disease, who are predominantly Black, can require multiple blood transfusions every year. Donated blood must be very closely matched to the donor’s blood type to avoid transfusion-related complications. Since most patients with sickle cell disease are Black or African American, the most compatible blood type match is most often from a donor of the same race or ethnicity. Ideal Blood Type-Type O, especially from blood donors who are Black. Give Whole Blood
Burn Patients-Ideal Donation Type: AB Elite, because plasma helps maintain blood pressure and other vital functions.
Ideal Blood Type: AB positive, AB negative. Type AB, the universal plasma donor’s blood can be given to any patient needing plasma. Make an even greater impact for patients in need by giving an AB Elite plasma donation. Give Plasma: Call to make an AB Elite appointment
Patients with Chronic Diseases-Ideal Donation Type: A single whole blood donation can help more than one person. Ideal Blood Type: All blood types are needed
Types of donations
Whole Blood Donation vs. Power Red Donation-As the name implies, “whole blood” donation includes all of the contents within the blood. This includes red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Whole blood donations are typically used to help patients fight cancer, blood disorders and traumatic injuries. The Power Red donation is similar to the whole blood donation, except a phlebotomist uses a special machine to ensure two units of exclusively red blood cells are collected. The machine returns the other blood components to you. Think of it as a more efficient way to yield more fuel for patients. The Red Cross highly encourages donors with O+, O-, A- and B- blood types to try a Power Red donation.
Platelet Donation vs. Plasma Donation-Platelets help your body create clots to stop bleeding. Platelet donations are critical for patients who are fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. The collection process is unique and a bit different than the whole blood donations, both arms are involved. One arm is used to send blood through the apheresis process using a sterile centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the red blood cells from the platelets. The heavier red cells sink to the bottom during the process. These red blood cells are returned to you through the other arm. It’s important to note that an appointment needs to be scheduled at a specific Red Cross donation center rather than at a mobile blood drive.
Plasma Donation-During a plasma donation, called plasmapheresis, blood is drawn from one arm and sent to the centrifuge that separates out the plasma. The red blood cells and platelets are then returned to you in the same arm. Plasma is used to help patients with severe burns, cancer or other potentially life-threatening conditions.
The Red Cross encourages donors with the AB blood type to donate plasma, as this is the universal plasma donor type. One donation provides up to four units of plasma for patients in need.