Bonanza Valley Voice -

Help wanted: we can't save anyone without "A's" and "O's" and "B's"! We invite you to become part of the exciting, innovative, international campaign called "MISSING TYPE"

Every two seconds in the U.S., someone needs blood, but in 2018, new Red Cross blood donors declined 80,000 for the fourth consecutive year. Only about three percent of the U.S. population donates blood who are eligible to give blood, but every two seconds, someone needs blood. Is this you? Missing types has seen encouraging interest in new donors - and all donors are needed now!

Hope Lutheran church of Sunburg will host a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, July 11 from 2 to 8 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome!

Facing the recent decline, the Red Cross launched the MISSING TYPES campaign to encourage new donors, and those who have not given recently, to donate blood.

The Fourth of July week is tough on the Red Cross blood supply, as at least 550 fewer blood drives are held compared to an average week. This is roughly the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood for an entire day.

Blood donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now - especially Type O negative - to replenish the blood supply.

Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be given to rH-positive patients of any blood type. Whole Blood and platelets are needed for accidents and burn patients, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and also those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle-cell disease.

Summer months are the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while on vacation or taking part in seasonal activities. Right now, the Red Cross is asking all eligible whole blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve as soon as possible.

You can give whole blood every 56 days, so if you haven't given blood since May 16, 2019, you can give at the Sunburg Community blood drive. We have two Double Red Machines, so if you have not given any type of blood donation in the last 112 days (March 21, 2019) you can donate platelets at this time.