After many locals participated in the Ava Drug 60th Anniversary American Red Cross Blood Drive, here are a few facts and tidbits of information about the American Red Cross that may be of interest.
Less than 5 percent of the population in America donates blood, but someone needs blood every two seconds! If we all live to the 72-year average lifespan, 97 percent of us will need blood some time in our lifetime. Every time a person donates blood, they save up to three lives, because whole blood can be separated into three different blood products. Plasma often goes to burned victims. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, are often used during surgery. Platelets are most often used for cancer patients, just to name a few of the many needs for blood and blood products.
The American Red Cross was congressionally chartered in 1948 to take care of blood needs of America following our proof of ability by collection about 13 million pints of blood by the end of World War II. Back then it was considered a civic duty to donate blood, and many people donated blood as often as they could, which is every 56 days.
When the American Red Cross Biomedical Services in this Division of the United States appreciates our donors for donating blood, we’re thanking them not only behalf of our organization which mission is to save lives, but on behalf of the soldiers and their families at Fort Leonard Wood, MO., and the patients at the Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and Little Rock, and the Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, not to mention about 370 other hospitals whose patients need blood in the South Central Division of our country, including about 50 hospitals within Missouri.
NASCAR has also partnered with the American Red Cross to help us thank our donors nationwide. Donors can go to www.redcrossracing.com and register for NASCAR points every time they donate to receive some fun NASCAR items.
Through November 1, 2010, Ford has also partnered with us to give away a free 2011 Ford Fiesta to one lucky winner.
The next blood drive in Ava is scheduled for October 23 at the Long John Silver/Kentucky Fried Chicken location and all the promotions listed above will apply.
