PHOENIX, Arizona — The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood and platelet donations after a sharp decline in scheduled appointments caused the national supply to fall by several thousand units in just one week.
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Since 90% of donations come from scheduled visits, this drop is raising concerns ahead of the busy summer “trauma season.”
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, serious injuries from accidents typically rise, increasing demand for blood. In severe cases, a single patient may need up to 100 units, and delays in transfusion can significantly increase the risk of death.
To encourage donations, the Red Cross is offering incentives: donors who give between June 1 and June 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card and a chance to win a $7,500 prize. Officials stress that every donation is critical to ensure hospitals are prepared to save lives.
Appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
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