KENT, Conn.—The Kent Lions Club will sponsor a blood drive Monday, Aug. 17, at the Kent Community House, 93 North Main Street, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
On July 27, the Red Cross issued its second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. The Red Cross attributes the slump to extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses. It reports it now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood— the most commonly transfused blood type.
To help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies across the country, the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals.
There are two kinds of donations possible. The first, whole blood, is the most common and consists of taking a pint of blood. This donation usually takes about an hour. A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.
To schedule an appointment, click here.
