Hurricane has intensified the urgent need for blood donations.

This urgent appeal from our community partner at American Red Cross Blood Services.  There is an additional blood drive scheduled on the Portland campus for December 11th, but in the mean time, donations may be made at the Donor Center on Ashmont Street, just off Forest Avenue behind the Great Lost Bear (easy walking distance from the Portland campus).  Regards, ATM

 

§ Sandy has forced the cancellation of approximately 250 American Red Cross blood drives in 11 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of more than 8,000 units of blood and platelets thus far.                  The Red Cross moved blood products to the areas most likely to be affected by Sandy so that these products will be available during and after the storm.                 The storm may cause power outages and flooding in many areas along the East Coast, which will most likely result in the cancellation of additional blood drives and platelet donations throughout the week.                 While Sandy will affect the number of people available to donate, hospital patients still need blood and platelets despite the weather.                 Blood drive cancellations have occurred in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and West Virginia.   § The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that community members consider donating blood in affected areas once the storm passes through and it's safe to do so.  It's the blood that is already on the shelves that helps save lives before, during and after a disaster.  To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, please visit us online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Please be aware the Red Cross anticipates unusually high call volume over the next several days from those directly affected by the storm and you may experience delays. o To give blood, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.     § The Red Cross will move blood products to affected areas as necessary.                 Nationwide, around 44,000 blood donations are needed each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients, and children with blood disorders. These patients and others rely on blood products during their treatment.                 When disaster strikes, this need does not diminish, even though blood donors may find it difficult or impossible to get to a convenient donation opportunity.                 If collections are negatively impacted by a disaster, the long-term needs of these patients could also be affected.                 If people will make an appointment to donate blood in the upcoming days and weeks ahead, blood will be available in the aftermath should conditions prohibit people in some parts of the country from traveling or coming to blood drives.

 

 

Jennifer Goldman

Account Executive

American Red Cross

524 Forest Avenue

Portland, ME  04101

(207)775-2367 (t)

(207)699-6028 (c)

Goldmanjr@usa.redcross.org

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall, Director

-Community Service Learning

-Religious and Spiritual Life

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403