Blood Donors Needed
Written by Andrew-Rossi on July 6, 2017
Next Monday and Tuesday the VFW in Cody is hosting a blood drive – and organizers say there is a critical need for more donors.
Joshua Randall, Senior Donor Recruitment Representative for United Blood Services out of Billings, says that the last drive that was held in Cody two months ago experienced very low turnout. That’s on top of a gradual shortage that they’ve seen over the last couple of years – Randall says that donations have decreased by 45%. However, the need for donated blood is on the rise.
Randall says over 40% of all blood donations are used for cancer patients. He says that during the summer, there are more burn victims from wildfires, as well as trauma patients, so that need rises this time of year. And year round, he says there is always a need for blood in hospitals because most surgeries such as heart surgery, knee and hip replacements, and other procedures usually require a unit of blood to be on hand in case the patient needs it.
This coming week, the blood drive will be held at the Cody VFW from 10-6 on Monday, July 10th and from 9-3:30 on Tuesday the 11th. Randall says that currently only 69 people have volunteered to donate Monday, out of the 150 donors they need, and only 20 volunteers out of the 80 needed on Tuesday. Randall adds that there will be a free donor appreciation BBQ from 11-1 on both days.
Donors can sign up online at www.bloodhero.com and search by zip code.
