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    Please Give Blood

    posted Nov 7, 2012, 6:55 AM by Erica Penick
    The American Red Cross Has Issued A Call for Blood Donations in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

    • Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of approximately 365 American Red Cross blood drives in 14 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 12,200 units of blood and platelets as of Friday, November 2nd.
    • While Sandy will decrease the number of people available to donate in the affected areas, hospital patients still need blood and platelets despite the weather.
    • Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion.
    • Your effort can make a significant impact in someone’s life.  Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. It could be used for the little girl with a rare blood disorder, a family member fighting cancer, or a friend involved in a car accident. A supply shortage means that blood may not be available when it’s needed most.

    On Saturday, November 17, 2012 SUMC will host its annual blood drive from 9:00am - 2:00pm (NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY).  We hope not only will YOU support this blood drive but also spread the word to colleagues, neighbors, family, and friends.  Here are a few tips on how you can improve donor turnout and help to boost the blood supply this fall and winter:
    • Use a personal approach and ask everyone: face-to-face contact works best
    • Let donors know their help is needed now
    • Get your leadership support
    • Promote on social media outlets - Facebook, Twitter, etc.
    • Get the word out through all communication channels - email, newsletters, bulletin boards, stuffers, etc.
    • Ask your regular donors to recruit a friend to donate
    • Send appointment reminders to donors who are scheduled to donate


    The Red Cross is grateful to those who are responding to this emergency call for help.   If a donor cannot make it to the Saturday, November 17 blood drive at SUMC encourage them to schedule an appointment for a more convenient time by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or visit www.redcrossblood.org to find another blood donation opportunity.

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