Northside Hospital Hosts Community Blood Drives in May and June

Northside Hospital Hosts Community Blood Drives

Throughout the year, Northside Hospital hosts community blood drives at each of its hospitals in Atlanta, Forsyth and Cherokee. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. The need for blood is ongoing because unused blood has an expiration of 42 days.

A single blood donation can be separated into components red blood cells, platelets and plasma - to help at least three patients. Red blood cells help accident victims, surgery patients and those with anemia. Platelets help blood clots and are used for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Plasma is used to treat patients suffering from burns or shock.

If every eligible donor donated at least twice each year, there would never be seasonal blood shortages. The only source of blood is volunteer blood donations and your donation is needed now.

Upcoming blood drives at Northside include:

Friday, May 23, 2008
7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Northside Hospital 980 Doctor’s Centre
Atlanta

Friday, May 23, 2008
11 a.m. ˆ 4 p.m.
Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Bennett Education Center
Cumming

Friday, June 20, 2008
7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Northside Hospital 980 Doctor’s Centre
Atlanta

Monday, June 23, 2008
1-6 p.m.
Northside Hospital-Cherokee, Education Building
Canton