Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Local Healthcare Systems Encourage the Community to Donate Blood

The Red Cross is facing a critical shortage of blood and platelet donations, and it is asking the public for help (WYDaily/Courtesy Pixabay)
Hampton Roads healthcare systems are partnering to encourage community blood donations. (Courtesy of Pixabay)

HAMPTON ROADS — Bon Secours, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Riverside Health System and Sentara Healthcare are partnering to encourage the community to donate blood this holiday season.

As part of a collective effort to give back to the American Red Cross, the Hampton Roads healthcare organizations are encouraging eligible community members to donate blood to their local American Red Cross location.

Hampton Roads healthcare organizations are currently being supplied with a lower amount of blood
this year as Virginia is experiencing a 41 percent reduction in donations this year compared
to last year, according to a Dec. 14 joint release from the healthcare organizations.

“With much of the local blood supply coming from the American Red Cross, lifesaving efforts performed at local healthcare organizations can only happen when residents make a generous blood donation,” the release said. “Just one donation can save up to three lives and help replenish our local supplies.”

The Red Cross hosts blood drives daily throughout the Hampton Roads communities and follow COVID-19 safety protocols at the donation centers and blood drives.

“We can only deliver lifesaving blood to area hospitals with the support of our community,” Jonathan McNamara, Communications Director for the American Red Cross Virginia Region,” said. “There is no substitute for the local blood donors and volunteers who support our blood drives and as we move through the holiday season, we hope people join us in helping to build a more resilient blood supply.”

To find your nearest donation center, visit here.

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