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Roll up your sleeves: the Red Cross needs blood

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Contributed by: Tracey Laity on 11/3/2006

Verdugo Hills Hospital has joined forces with the Southern Californian branch of the American Red Cross in an effort to boost emergency blood supplies by hosting a pre-holiday drive on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Verdugo Hills Hospital and the American Red Cross collected 57 units of blood the last time a blood drive was held in June and organizers hope to top this amount.

"We had a great turnout for our blood drive earlier this year and our goal is to collect even more units this time," said Norma Martin, director of the hospital's Laboratory Services. "Each time you donate blood, you could be saving the lives of three people."

Teresa Solorio, public affairs manager for the American Red Cross Blood Service in Southern California, hopes that people won't be too distracted by holiday preparations to remember that blood supplies are traditionally lower during the winter months.

"The months of December and January are times when, historically, our blood supply can reach critically low levels," Solorio said. "People are wrapped up in the excitement of the holidays, traveling for holiday vacations, spending time with family and friends, and preparing to celebrate the New Year.

Unfortunately, the need for blood donations does not diminish. The American Red Cross will still need to collect over 1,500 pints of blood each day just to meet the daily needs of local hospitals. We will still need people in our communities to roll up their sleeves, donate blood, and help ensure our hospitals will have enough blood for accident victims, premature babies, chemo patients and emergency surgeries when needed."

The blood drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the hospital Council Rooms on the 4th Floor. Eligible donors must be healthy, at least 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be free of any risk from HIV or AIDS. For more information or to make an appointment, please call the hospital's Blood Bank hotline at (818) 952-2297.

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