McLeod Dillon will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, December 18, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the hospital Auxiliary Room. An urgent appeal for blood donations has been issued be the Red Cross.

Based on American Red Cross statistics, there is a patient in need of blood every two seconds. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days, and platelets, a blood component, can only be stored for five days after donation, so the blood supply has to be constantly replenished.

Anyone may some day need blood – you, your family, and your friends. By donating blood, you’re helping to assure that when the need arises the blood will be there. By giving blood, you can make the difference literally between life and death for another person.

On a daily basis, the following amounts of blood are needed: organ transplant… 5-100 units, sickle cell anemia… 10-15 units, car accident… 4-100 units, aneurysm… 6 units, prostate cancer… 2-4 units, heart bypass… 4-6 pints, premature newborn… 1-4 pints.

To schedule an appointment to give blood, please call the McLeod Dillon Laboratory Department at 843-487-1250. Mark this date on your calendar and give the gift of life. Please bring a photo ID.