Life-Saving Blood Donations: Mercy Health Hosts Blood Drive to Combat National Shortage

Due to the upcoming busy holiday weekend, health officials are anticipating an increase in trauma cases at local hospitals. With the expiration dates of blood and blood products, laboratories and blood banks are unable to stockpile inventory in advance. This means that platelets only last for three days after receipt in the lab, while a unit of blood has a shelf life of four to five weeks.

In response to this, Mercy Health in Warren, Ohio is hosting a blood drive next week in an effort to combat the nationwide blood shortage. Despite many Americans being eligible, only 3% actually donate blood. This is why Mercy Health is urging the community to step up and donate at the upcoming blood drive on Thursday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Hospital in Warren.

Registering for the event can be done easily on the Red Cross website using the sponsor code: MERCY HEALTH. The blood donation process takes about 45 minutes to complete and could potentially save someone’s life by providing them with a much-needed transfusion during an emergency situation or medical procedure that requires it.

So if you’re eligible and willing to make a difference, consider donating blood at Mercy Health’s upcoming drive next week! Your donation could be life-saving for someone in need.