In July, Ross Medical Education Center in Madison Heights, located at 29429 John R., held a blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, which resulted in the collection of 26 pints of blood. Each pint of blood can be used to help up to 3 people. Ross also added 10 new donors during the drive.
A recent Red Cross plea for donors nationwide states that blood supplies, which are typically low during summer months have dropped even more so this year, due to the fact that the organization has “responded to more than 40 major disasters across more than 30 states over the past three months.” Type O-negative blood is especially needed because it can be used to treat any patient.
According to the American Red Cross website:
• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006).
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
Thanks to all students and staff who participated in this successful event!