Next blood drive Monday, Aug. 22

The American Red Cross reports there is a critical, nationwide shortage of (blood/platelet/plasma) donations this summer. King’s Daughters will host a Red Cross blood drive from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22 in the medical center’s Health Education Center (lower level of the Lexington Avenue parking garage) in Ashland.

As a special thank you for making donation a priority, the Red Cross is sending a $5 Amazon gift code via email to blood donors who present at any of its blood drives through Aug. 31.

Blood donations are critical to meeting community needs, both for those with chronic medical conditions and patients who have been injured in accidents. One donation has the potential to save three lives!

American Red Cross Facts and Stats to Know:

• Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10 percent of those who can actually do.
• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
• More than 1.68 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2016. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

Appointments to donate blood are suggested by calling The American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter: KDMC to schedule an appointment.