During hurricane season, the American Red Cross needs blood and platelet donations. Red Cross Missouri, Arkansas, and Southern Illinois region director Michael Sullivan says that donors of all types, especially those with O blood, are needed.
Sullivan says every donation is important to helping patients rely on lifesaving transfusions. "O is the universal donor, so it can be given whenever a hospital has an emergency. If a patient comes in and hospitals aren't sure what blood to use, O blood is the one they will reach for first."
SIU Carbondale holds the 15th annual Homecoming Blood Drive at the SIU Student Center for those near Southern Illinois. The drive is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, from 11 am to 5 pm.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
