A single car accident victim may need as many as 100 units of blood and each year there are 41 million emergency department visits in the United States, according to the National Trauma Institute, which is why the American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood during Trauma Awareness Month. Blood or platelets that are donated can be lifesaving for trauma patients and others with serious medical needs. In trauma situations, when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative blood and type AB plasma because they can be given to any blood type. Less than seven percent of the population has type O negative blood and only about four percent have type AB blood. These donors are encouraged to donate as often as they are eligible.

Blood drives are being held in Washington, Sigourney, Wellman, Riverside, Wapello, Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant this month, for a schedule and locations click here.