Doctors: Need for blood donations increase in summer due to crashes and outdoor activities
The Red Cross says around 25% of trauma patients require blood transfusions and up to 5% of them will need 10 or more units of blood. That amount of transfusions can quickly deplete a hospital's blood supply.
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Doctors are reminding people that the time in between Memorial Day and Labor Day is when the need for blood across the country significantly increases.
They say people are more likely to be seriously injured in the summer due to car crashes, recreational accidents and outdoor activities.
The Red Cross says around 25% of trauma patients require blood transfusions and up to 5% of them will need 10 or more units of blood. That amount of transfusions can quickly deplete a hospital's blood supply.
The organization is encouraging people to roll up their sleeves and donate. All blood types are needed, especially the group O which is often used for trauma patients. There is also a need for plasma and for platelets, which only have a five-day shelf life.
Donations also tend to decrease in the summer due to school breaks, extreme weather events and people traveling.
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