In response to the ongoing blood shortage, Mercy Health in Warren, Ohio is hosting a blood drive next week. Despite many Americans being eligible to donate blood, only 3% actually do so. The blood donation process usually takes around 45 minutes to complete.
Health officials are urging the community to donate blood during busy holiday weekends when local hospitals experience an increase in trauma cases. However, due to the expiration dates of blood and blood products, laboratories and blood banks cannot increase their inventory ahead of time. For example, platelets are only good for three days after they are received in the lab, while a unit of blood has a shelf life of about four to five weeks.
The blood drive will take place at St. Joseph Hospital in Warren on Thursday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in donating can register on the Red Cross website using the sponsor code: MERCY HEALTH. Your blood donation can make a positive impact on those in need and contribute to addressing the ongoing blood shortage issue.