According to the American Red Cross, more than 44,000 blood donations are needed each day in the U.S. and a total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the nation.
Kristen Stancil, a spokesman for the Midtown-based Metropolitan Atlanta Red Cross, said the chapter was always looking for Type O blood.
“Right now, our blood levels are pretty good. We’re particularly looking for Type O, because we always need that. It can be used for all blood types.”
Type O negative blood can be transferred to all blood types, while Type O positive can be transferred to all those with positive blood types.
O positive is the most common blood type, but blood type differs within ethnic groups. O negative is much less common, and A positive is the second most common blood type, behind O positive.
Donors commonly give about one pint of blood during each donation. The average blood transfusion requires about three pints of blood, however, according to the Red Cross.
While most people are able to give blood, those with low iron, those who do not meet the weight requirement and those who may have a phobia of needles are often turned down or shy away from the process.
There are other ways to help, though. Hosting a blood drive at one’s workplace is one way to do one’s part.
The blood drive host must provide a location, help recruit donors within the organization and publicize the drive. The host also must schedule donors for their appointments.
Upcoming area blood drives:
o Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.
Site: Midtown Blood Donation Center
1955 Monroe Drive, Atlanta
o Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Site: Congregation B’Nai Torah
700 Mount Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs
o Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Site: North Atlanta Church of Christ
5676 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody
o Monday, 8 a.m. to noon
Site: Marcus Jewish Community Center
5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody
Information: To make an appointment for a blood drive, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
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