Fourth of July predicted to strain blood donation supply

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the Fourth of July coming up, experts say this is expected to cause extra medical trauma cases a need for blood donations.

Blood Assurance is urging donors to step up now.

The week surrounding Independence Day is a very challenging time to maintain a stable blood supply, according to a release by Blood Assurance.

The release says donation rates drop as people travel, however, the demand for blood donations surges due to traumatic accidents during holiday celebrations.

“People are traveling, schools are out, and routine blood drives slow down, but emergencies don’t take a vacation,” said Garry Allison, Senior Vice President of operations at Blood Assurance. “We typically see more trauma cases during the summer, particularly around the Fourth. We need the community to act now to ensure blood is available when patients need it most.”

The nonprofit says only 3% of eligible Americans donate blood.

In addition, Blood Assurance says it serves as a provider for Greenview Regional Hospital. Overall, the nonprofit says it must collect 540 donations daily to meet demand.

As a thank you, Blood Assurance says donors will receive a $20 e-gift card for all donors with a valid email address on file, while O-negative and AB plasma donors will get a $25 e-gift card instead.

For type O donors who join the Hero Club, they will receive an extra $50 e-gift card if they donate double red cells once or whole blood twice by Aug. 31. To qualify, the first donation must take place by July 6.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health.

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