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The American Red Cross must provide more than 1,500 units of blood each day to
meet the needs of patients in area hospitals. Volunteer blood donations help
patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries and serious diseases
such as cancer, heart disease and hemophilia.
Despite the fact that giving blood is easy, safe and takes less than one hour,
only 5 percent of eligible Americans donate blood. Here at Carolina, more than
5 percent of employees donate at the University-wide blood drive each year, but
much more is desperately needed.
The need for blood typically increases during the summer months while donations
traditionally decrease. Donors often find it difficult to include blood
donations in schedules that are affected by outdoor activities, vacations and
travel plans.
"The UNC Blood Drive provides much needed relief for us during this critical
time," said Lisa Whitaker, donor recruitment manager with the American Red
Cross. "Staff from all over the state come to assist in this immense
humanitarian effort."
On July 24, the 13th annual University-wide blood drive will be held at the
Dean E. Smith Center from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To be a part of this very special
event, simply dial BLOOD (2-5663) to schedule an appointment to donate. Free
parking is available at the Smith Center and special shuttles will run all day
to transport donors.
"Giving blood is considered work time. The entire process takes about 60
minutes," said committee member Anne Aldridge. "That is a very small amount of
time to trade for a life-saving gift." For information about Orange County
people who have recently received blood products, see this story on the Gazette
web site: http://gazette.unc.edu
The theme for this year's drive is "Be A Life Preserver: Lend a HEELing Hand,"
and that is exactly what the day is all about. Committee member Katrina Coble
said, "I am extremely proud to be a part of this event. Not only is it
important to employees and their families to have the blood in supply should
the need arise, but it gives us all a great sense of pride that we are
participating in one of the largest drives held in one day in the USA. We are
lending a 'HEELing Hand' to people who need the gift of life."
For more information, please see the blood drive web site at
http://www.sph.unc.edu/blood or contact Aldridge at 2-8829.
Accidents, health emergencies and surgery can all present situations in which
transfusions of enormous amount of blood products become necessary to save a
life. The following information, supplied by the American Red Cross, includes
four instances from the week of July 2 in which large amounts of blood were
used in this area:
* Man, age 41, with gunshot wound to the abdomen. Blood type is A+, and he
required 48 units of red cells, 4 of platelets and 16 of plasma;
* Man, age 79, with digestive system bleeding. Blood type is B+, and he
required 15 units of red cells, 4 of platelets and 11 of plasma;
* Woman, age 58, with heart bypass surgery. Blood type is O+, and she required
13 units of red cells, 2 of platelets and 12 of plasma; and
* Man, age 18, injured in a motor vehicle accident. Blood type is O+, and he
required 10 units of red cells, 2 of platelets and 7 of plasma.
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