The nation continues to face a critical blood shortage and more donors are needed. Caregivers have been stepping up to help, and your efforts are making a difference. For example, Intermountain’s most recent blood drive had 362 caregivers participate—including 68 first-time donors. One unit of blood can save as many as three lives, meaning 1,086 patients could potentially benefit from that blood drive alone.
“The response from our caregivers has been tremendous and is deeply appreciated,” says Sarah Ilstrup, MD, associate medical director for Central Lab. “The need for blood donations remains significant. We anticipate demand will increase during the next few weeks as we hopefully move care away from COVID care and resume more usual surgical service volumes.”
Here are some upcoming blood drives at Intermountain facilities:
- Friday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at St. George Regional Hospital in the Angel’s Landing conference room: registration code SGRH
- Tuesday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Employee Services Center in the training room: registration code ESC
- Monday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at St. George Regional Hospital in the Angel’s Landing Conference Room: registration code SGRH
- Monday, April 18, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Layton Hospital in the Davis Dart conference room: registration code IntermountainLH
Visit redcrossblood.org and enter the registration code to register. You can also search for other drives scheduled in your area by entering your zip code. There may be limited availability because the Red Cross continues to be short staffed, but please keep trying even if you have to wait a few weeks. If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please contact the Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276.