Friday, February 28, 2014
Earlier this week, we kicked off the second-annual Indiana Statehouse Blood Donor Challenge. The Indiana State Senate enjoys this opportunity to partner with the House of Representatives, Legislative Services Agency (LSA) and executive and judicial branches to support the American Red Cross, while enjoying some friendly competition.
Last year, the Statehouse Blood Drive helped save 165 lives with 55 pints of donated blood. This year, we went above that number, collecting 66 pints of blood and saving up to 198 patients’ lives.
The Senate won the challenge with 21 donations!
We want to thank all participants from every department for their much-needed blood donation. Because of you, we were able to help supply a critical nationwide blood shortage.
Due to severe weather throughout much of the United States, nearly 1,500 blood drives have been cancelled so far this year. Since Jan. 2, about 50,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected. On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood every day.
All blood types are needed to reduce this shortage, but there is currently an urgent need for blood types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative. There is also need for platelet donors to give.
Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10 percent actually do each year. Because of that, every single donation counts.
To find a Red Cross blood drive in your area and schedule an appointment, click here or call 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Learn more about donating blood by going to the American Red Cross website.
