Blood donations encouraged during March, Red Cross Month

SALT LAKE CITY – Blood donors help save lives. During Red Cross Month this March, the American Red Cross thanks these heroes for their generosity and encourages others to join them.

The demand for blood is constant. From cancer patients and accident victims to premature babies and individuals suffering from blood disorders, someone in the country needs blood every two seconds. Last year, 132,458 units of blood and platelets were donated through the Red Cross in Utah.

Red Cross Month was established in March 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and has been supported by every president since then.

“Red Cross Month is an ideal time for people to show support for our mission,” said Julia Wulf, CEO of the Lewis and Clark Blood Service Region. “Anyone can become an everyday hero by giving blood or platelets, becoming a volunteer, making a financial donation or taking a class.”

In addition to collecting and distributing about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year, providing food, shelter, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. The organization also offers 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills every year.

For more information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit American Red Cross – Give Blood.

Submitted by: American Red Cross

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

blood-drive2

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.