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Alexander BesantJune 28, 2012 12:21
US blood supply at dangerously low levels, says Red Cross
The Red Cross believes that one reason for the drop in donations could be as simple as unusually warm weather, which has meant more vacationers who have just not had donations on their mind.
The Red Cross believes that one reason for the drop in donations could be as simple as unusually warm weather, which has meant more vacationers who have just not had donations on their mind.
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The American Red Cross has declared that the US blood supply is at dangerously low levels. (Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images)
The American Red Cross said that the US blood supply has reached dangerously low levels.
The Red Cross believes that one reason for the drop in donations could be as simple as unusually warm weather, which has meant more vacationers who have just not had donations on their mind.
It is believed that the group must collect 17,000 pints of blood everyday just to meet with US demand, said Health Day.
The group reported in a press release that it had 50,000 fewer donations in June than usual and half as much blood was in supply compared to last year.
Experts warn that dropping blood supplies could have dire consequences for those in need.
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"There is always the chance that a physician could postpone an elective surgery if the needed blood products aren't readily available," Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer for the American Red Cross, reported Health Day.
"In a worst case scenario, a physician may have to forego performing a more serious procedure for a patient because of a shortage of blood. We need to do everything we can to make sure it doesn't get to that point."
The Main Street Business Journal reported that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood.
The American Red Cross is urging people to give more blood to meet current demand.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/120628/us-blood-supply-at-dangerously-low-levels-says-red-cross
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