An emergency blood drive is planned for Albany Thursday because of a critical shortage of blood. Phoebe Putney Hospital is hosting it and hopes you will respond and make life saving donations.
When you donate blood you don't see where that blood goes..but it could save someone's life. A new mom and dad say they are forever grateful for those who donate blood, because without those special people their newborn baby probably wouldn't be alive today.
It can happen to anyone of us. You or a loved one is in desperate need of blood. It happened to Jessica Clark and Ryan Farr, after their twin babies were born several months early.
"They both needed ventilators because they weren't able to breath on their own, and one of them needed a blood transfusion," said Jessica Clark.
Thankfully, their newborn was able to get that blood transfusion which brought her blood count back up and regulated her blood pressure.
"I'm very grateful for anyone and everyone who donates blood because without that she probably wouldn't have survived," said Ryan Farr.
It happened to Dedra Carter too after she gave birth, "I had an acute blood loss and was extremely week, so week I couldn't even hold my baby."
But a blood transfusion changed that. "once i was transfused i was amazed at how quickly i felt strong again."
Those are just a few people affected by blood donations...but everyday thousands of people need blood.
"Blood is like a parachute," said Dian Swafford\Blood Bank Manager "You have to have it when you need it or you never have to worry about needing it again. Normally we have two drawers of A positive but we have a drawer and a half."
There aren't enough donors but you have a chance to help save a life. Phoebe is holding a blood drive to help re-establish the low supply.
It's something everyone should consider..because you never know when you or your loved one could be next.
All blood types are needed, but 0 negatives are the universal donors. Officials at Phoebe say half of their blood goes to cancer patients or those who are critically ill.
That blood drive is Thursday at Phoebe's cafeteria from 10 to 6. If you would like more information, visit our website.
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Your blood is needed....
A past blood drive at Phoebe
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