LifeShare Blood Center is calling on donors to include blood donation in their summer plans, emphasizing an urgent need for blood donations during the summer months. Historically, the demand for blood products spikes in July.
A recent Pew Research Center analysis highlights that July 4th and 5th are the busiest days of the year for U.S. hospital emergency rooms, with nearly 10,000 more patients than the average for any other two-day period. Fireworks-related injuries, which account for about one-third of these injuries, are a significant contributor to this spike, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“Burn patients use lots of blood products over long periods of time, especially red blood cells and plasma, due to the loss of red cells and clotting factors with these types of wounds,” explained Dr. Tim Peterson, Medical Director for LifeShare Blood Center. “Plasma and red blood cells are needed to maintain an adequate oxygen supply by the patient as they recover.” A single donation can impact up to three people, as most whole blood donations are separated into individual components: red cells, platelets, and plasma.
Unlike most other life-saving medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled. Red blood cells expire after only 42 days and platelets after just 7 days. “We rely on each donation, each day, to meet the needs of our local patients and hospitals,” said Mandi Johnson, Director of Community Engagement.
In response to the anticipated summer decline in blood donors, LifeShare is hosting its annual “United We Give” campaign from July 1st-5th. This year, each donor will receive a $10 gift card for lunch and a limited-edition t-shirt, with Raising Cane’s partnering in the campaign once again.
LifeShare Blood Center in Texarkana, located at 4020 Summerhill Road, urges everyone to donate blood this summer and help save lives during this critical period.
