Here at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., our car accident lawyers were honored to sponsor the 2014 KFVS Heartland Blood Drive, which set a new record for collections. The Red Cross collected donations at seven locations across the Heartland (Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Poplar Bluff, Perryville, Sikeston, Carbondale and Marion), and this year, the blood drive set new records for collections. A total of 1,550 people donated blood, which garnered 1,441 productive units, shattering the goal of 1,100!
However, there's still a tremendous need for donations. This season's severe winter weather has forced the cancellation of several Red Cross Blood Drives, and many donors simply haven't been able to get out in these icy, cold conditions. We'd like to encourage you to get out and give blood, or to contact the Red Cross about hosting a blood drive of your own.
Why give blood? Facts and statistics to consider:
• Giving just one pint of blood can ultimately save up to three lives.
• In the Missouri-Illinois region, the Red Cross needs to collect almost 800 blood products every single day in order to keep up with demand in our area.
• Every two seconds, a person somewhere in the United States needs blood, which means that more than 41,000 donations are needed nationwide each day. In all, 30 million blood components are transfused in the U.S. every year.
• Since red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days, blood supplies must be replenished constantly.
• One car accident victim may need as many as 100 pints of blood.
• All blood types are needed, but the Red Cross has special need for donors with type O negative blood, as it can be transfused to anyone, regardless of the recipient's blood type. Type O is particularly essential in emergency situations, when there simply isn't time to cross-match a recipient's own blood type. Only seven percent of Americans have type O negative blood.
• According to the Red Cross, about 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but unfortunately, less than 10% actually give blood annually.
• Donating blood involves a very simple, safe, four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments. The entire process typically takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, with the donation itself requiring only ten to twelve minutes.
• If you started donating blood at age 17 and continued donating every 56 days until you reached age 76, you would have provided those in need with 48 gallons of blood. That means you could potentially save more than 1,000 lives.