WVU participates in November blood drives to address critical shortage

October 30th, 2003

November ushers in the season when families and loved ones gather to spend time in fellowship and thanksgiving. Accident victims, cancer patients and others with life-threatening ailments are thankful to be alive, and a blood transfusion played a vital part in their recovery. With blood supplies critically low, the American Red Cross is continuing its six-month emergency appeal for donations of the red stuff so that those in dire need of blood can live another day.

We try to maintain a five-day supply of blood, and inventories for all types are at levels below one or two days,said Crystal Bennett, donor resources assistant for the Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Region. Of particular concern is the low supply of O-negative, the universal blood type that can be given to anyone in an emergency when there is no time to cross-match a patients blood, Bennett added. There is less than a one-day supply of this blood type.

The Greater Alleghenies Region needs to collect 1,000 units of blood each work day to meet the needs of 120 hospitals in 100 counties. These hospitals include West Virginia University Hospitals, which used 26,681 blood components during the last fiscal year; Monongalia General Hospital, 7,554; and Preston Memorial Hospital, 139. Only 6,137 units of blood, however, were collected in Monongalia and Preston counties during the same year. Giving blood is easy, Bennett said. Red Cross staff check donorsblood pressures, iron levels and temperatures, then phlebotomists draw less than a pint of blood. Donors should eat a meal before giving blood.

November blood drives at WVU :

  • Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1-7 p.m., Fieldcrest Hall
  • Thursday, Nov. 6, 1-7 p.m., Sterling University Ridge
  • Tuesday, Nov. 11, 1-7 p.m., Lyon Tower, Gold Room (WVU-PittOut for Blood!)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 12, noon-6 p.m., Mountainlair Gold Ballroom (sponsored by Mountaineer Maniacs)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Health Sciences Center, John Jones Conference Room (appointments only; call 598-4095)
  • Thursday, Nov. 20, 1-7 p.m., Summit Suites

For more information, call the American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Region, at 1-800-732-0383.-WVU-