To the editor: Winter weather has blanketed much of the nation over the past several weeks, and the storms are taking a toll on all of us. Perhaps even more important is the impact this weather has had on our nation’s blood supply.
 
You may not realize it, but every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. The American Red Cross was forced to cancel more than 750 blood drives in January alone, resulting in a shortfall of over 28,000 scheduled blood donations.
 
To help build the blood supply back up to sufficient levels, the Red Cross has introduced “Recovery 2011.” This campaign is designed to reach out to eligible donors to ask them to make and keep blood donation appointments as soon as they are able to do so. It also aims to encourage organizations to step up and reschedule a canceled blood drive, agree to host an emergency blood drive or increase their existing blood drive goal by 10%.
 
The Red Cross is grateful to those who responded to our appeal for blood donations, yet the need is still great. Now is a great time to join the “Recovery 2011” initiative and help meet the needs of patients in our local community. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find out more about this program or to make an appointment to donate at a blood drive near you.

Donald L. Baker
CEO, American Red Cross Blood Services
Western Lake Erie Region

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