Blood supply low in Central Ohio

By Megan Helgeson, writer

February 8, 2008 | 8 p.m.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. A shortage of blood in the Central Ohio region has the American Red Cross worrying how it will provide.

During the month of January, there has been a strain on the blood supply. As of Feb. 1, the Red Cross “had no pints of O-negative blood on its shelves,” stated a Red Cross news release. “Supplies of types A-negative and B-negative also have dipped to less than a one-day supply,” the release continued. The cancellation of two local high school blood drives on Feb. 1 because of winter weather did not help the situation either.

According to a Red Cross flyer, a pint of blood, separated into its components, can save three lives. With 100-plus donors between the two schools, that totals more than 300 products lost for patients. “It’s the trend after the holidays,” donor recruitment representative Lori Gaitten said when asked why there is a shortage. It takes a while for people to get “back on track with giving blood. The flu bug, colds and viruses also add to the decrease in donations. Once illnesses subside, more people will come in and donate,” she said.

“The Central Ohio region needs about 650 blood donors each day to meet the demand of hospitals,” the news release stated. However, “only 5 percent of the eligible U.S. population donates blood in any given year,” said the Red Cross flyer.

Despite the low number of donors, blood donations are relatively simple and painless to give. Donations take about an hour, where 10 to 12 units of blood are taken. By the end of the day, a person’s full volume of blood is replenished. Within six weeks, the body reproduces all of the red blood cells. A person can give blood every 56 days.

The American Red Cross will host numerous blood drives in the month of February at Ohio University. “Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health,” the flyer said.

Check out this list of blood drives to find a possible time and location for donation:

Feb. 4 - Shively Hall - noon to 6 p.m.
Feb. 6 - Gamertsfelder Hall - 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Jefferson Hall - noon to 6 p.m.
Feb. 13 - True House - 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Baker University Center - noon to 6 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Wilson Hall - 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Feb. 16 - Porter Hall - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 18 - Baker University Center 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Feb. 21 - Washington Hall - 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Feb. 25 - Convocation Center - 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit the American Red Cross' Web site.

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