BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Halfway through a weeklong emergency appeal for blood conducted by Hoxworth Blood Center, Marsha Terry had to stop for a moment Saturday and figure out what day it was.
"Sometimes that just happens," said Ms. Terry, Hoxworth's spokeswoman.
On Friday, the blood bank saw its largest one-day tally ever with more than 700 volunteers donating blood.
"On the average we need about 300 volunteers per day to meet local need. This response has just been super and we want it to continue," she said.
The center will continue its blood drive through the summer months, she said, adding that because of corporate and school vacations, these are the hardest months for blood banks and other blood donation centers.
She cautioned that a blood drive was not like monetary campaigns where a certain goal would be set and met and then another drive would take place next year.
"This is a continuous drive," she said. "It's not like we can spread the blood around and then hope for the best. It doesn't last that long."
Most needed is type O blood, since this type matches with all others.
Officials say shortages -- brought on by increases in blood usage because of increases in traumatic injuries, transplants, and other invasive surgeries -- are common because people tend to take the availability of blood for granted.
In addition, some might feel it's inconvenient or are ignorant of the process and fear it, Ms. Terry said.
Dr. Thomas F. Zuck, director of Hoxworth and a professor of transfusion medicine, said emergency appeals put a strain on regular donors and that's why new donors are crucial.
He added that the need is not just a local problem, but a national concern as well.
By donating a unit of blood, a person can help save the lives of four others, Ms. Terry said.
Where to call
For more information on how to donate blood call 451-0910. Hoxworth has seven neighborhood donor centers in Greater Cincinnati.
