Bloodmobile coming September 7

Some things to consider:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006).
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. 

Unfortunately, no one really knows when they might need the gift of life. Giving now helps insure that blood will be available whenever it is needed and the Bloodmobile will the in Adrian at the Optimist building on September 7 from 1 to 6 pm. If this is your first time giving, you will need a valid ID and must be at least 17 years old.

More information is available on the American Red Cross web site