Williamson County Chamber: How To Host A Blood Drive—In Seven Easy Steps 

Press release from Williamson County Chamber:

2021-12-02

American Red Cross Tennessee Region

2201 Charlotte Ave.

Nashville, TN 37203

RedCross.org/Tennessee

Media Contact: Sherri McKinney

Telephone: 615-425-6679

Sherri.McKinney@redcross.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

How to Host a Blood Drive—In Seven Easy Steps 

Want a way to give back to your community and have a lot of fun in the process? 

There’s no better way than hosting a Red Cross blood drive. 

By Mariwyn Evans, American Red Cross volunteer

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 26, 2021 – Few volunteer efforts have a more immediate impact more than a blood drive. Every year, hospitals and doctors use about 36,000 units of blood to save the lives of accident victims, premature babies, surgical patients, and sufferers from chronic blood conditions. Maintaining a reliable supply of blood is essential for every community’s well-being.

How can I help? 

You and your organization, church, home-owners association, or company can play a critical role in this effort by hosting a blood drive. Hosting a drive is also a great way to build teamwork and to make the public aware of your organization.

Getting Started

If you’ve ever given blood, you’re familiar with the basics of what a blood drive event looks like.  If you are organizing the event, here are some expert tips on how to make the drive run smoothly.

COVID-19 STRAINS BLOOD SUPPLY FOR PATIENTS To meet the increasing needs of hospital patients, the Red Cross distributed 250,000 more blood products in 2021 than last year, until the delta variant began to spread in August. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year — one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Tennessee Red Cross Region has experienced a 31% decrease in new blood donors this year.

As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. Blood donations are desperately needed now to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease.

Help is needed now more than ever to combat critical blood shortage across the country and right here at home. You can find out more about how you can make a difference at RedCrossBlood.org, or by volunteering at RedCross.org/Tennessee.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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This press release was produced by Williamson County Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.