Are you doing your part to ensure our hospital patients have the blood or platelets they need when they need it?

Approximately every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and 44,000 units of blood are needed every day. Since one in 10 people entering a hospital needs blood, it’s important to maintain an adequate blood supply.

May is a great month to donate blood. College classes are ending and the American Red Cross is no longer able to hold blood drives on college campuses. Plus, students aren’t as likely to donate at blood drives over the summer break. Since high school and college students make up 25 percent of all Red Cross blood donations, it’s important to attract new and existing donors to May blood drives. Without student participation, blood donations to the Red Cross typically fall 15 to 20 percent during the summer months, May - August.

There is no substitute that covers all the needs of human blood transfusion. Blood and platelets come from generous volunteer donors who take the time to help save lives.

In Logan County, you may give blood on the following dates:

5/3/12 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chandlers Elem. School 6000 Morgantown Rd. Russellville

5/18/12 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. City Hall 551 South Main St. Lewisburg

How to Donate Blood:

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 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 not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org