Alpha Kappa Psi is hosting a blood drive in the Black and Gold Room of the Memorial Union today and tomorrow. Anyone is welcome to sign up at redcrossblood.org and select the FHSU Blood Drive. The Blood Drive also took place on Monday as well.
“Donating blood is an easy way to help out,” said an Alpha-Kappa-Psi representative, “just one donation can save up to three lives.”
Walk-ins are accepted providing there are openings in the schedule and masks are required.
The blood drive comes as the United States experiences a major shortage in blood and platelets as the Delta variant fills hospitals across the nation. Causing more issues is the lack of donors, which the Red Cross states to be down 10% since August.
Some blood types, like O positive and O negative, have reached as low as half-day supplies.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have experienced challenges collecting blood for patients from blood drive cancellations to surging hospital demand. Now with decreased blood donor turnout, our Red Cross blood supply has dropped to the lowest it has been at this time of year since 2015,” Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, said. “We recognize that this is a trying time for our country as we balance the new demands of returning to former routines with the ongoing pandemic, but lifesaving blood donations remains essential for hospitals patients in need of emergency and medical care that can’t wait.
“The Red Cross is working around the clock to meet the blood needs of hospitals and patients – but we can’t do it alone.”
The drive will continue from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today and finish up from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. Those interested in donating are encouraged to visit the Red Cross website to sign up or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.