Red Cross Faces Blood Shortage
Friday, January 16, 2009

Your American Red Cross Needs Immediate Community Support

The American Red Cross expresses grave concerns over current blood supply levels.  “The freezer shelf that normally contains 70 units 0 negative, the universal blood type, is nearly empty,” said John Hansen, Executive Director, Southwest Blood Region covering Texas.  “We have little to no 0 positive and negative blood units for those who need it.  We urge the community to donate today.  To return to sufficient levels, your American Red Cross needs to collect 500 units of blood in the next two weeks.  We ask that the Metroplex community contribute over half of that goal with at least 250 blood donations.  

The Red Cross is holding special blood drives to replenish the much needed blood supply.  The first 15 donors each day will receive tickets to the Fort Worth Stock Show. 

• Thursday January 15 to Saturday January 17
  American Red Cross
  4800 Harry Hines Blvd.
  Dallas, TX
  8:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.

For your convenience our fixed sites will be open across the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO GIVE BLOOD?  DONORS MUST:

• Be generally in good health;
• Be at least 17 years of age;
• Weight no less than 110 pounds;
• Have NOT donated whole blood within the past 56 days.

The American Red Cross is asking all eligible donors to help replenish the blood supply by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or logging onto http://www.givelife.org/ to schedule a blood donation appointment.