SEVERE BLOOD SHORTAGE IN MAINE

In the last week, the Red Cross has reached a severe shortage of blood donations in the state of Maine!!  They are reaching out to the public...if you can donate...please do!

Platelets are at a critical low as well.

Blood Facts and Statistics

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
• Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
• Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• 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.
• It is estimated that sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1.68 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2016. 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.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RedCross to find out where you can donate blood or if you have any questions or concerns about donating.