Gov. Cox proclaims September 4 as Utah Blood Donation Day
Today, Gov. Spencer Cox has officially declared September 4 as Utah Blood Donation Day. In light of the ongoing national blood emergency, the American Red Cross of Utah encourages all Utah residents to donate blood and help ease the pressure on the country’s blood supply.
Utah is one of many states across the country designating September 4 as Blood Donation Day. Nationally syndicated radio host and physician, Dr. Daliah Wachs, began the effort in 2016 to enlist all 50 states in promoting blood donations through National Blood Donation Day. The date, September 4, was selected as it aligns with the Labor Day holiday, when blood donations tend to decline due to the start of the school year and holiday activities.
“Blood donation has the extraordinary ability to make a real difference in someone’s life,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “On National Blood Donation Day, we unite as a community to make a significant impact on countless lives. We urge everyone to join this lifesaving mission, as your generosity could be the difference between life and death for those in need.”
Schedule your blood donation today
As a leading provider of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross contributes about 40% of all blood collected, serving over 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. To meet ongoing patient needs, the Red Cross must collect around 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations daily. Nearly 45 hospitals in Utah depend on the Red Cross for their blood supply.
Donors can easily schedule an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a token of appreciation, all donors visiting between Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last. All who come to give blood Sept. 16-30 will get a $15 e-gift card to their merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details.
Urgent need for Type O blood
While all blood types are needed, the current shortage of type O blood has caused a reduction in distributions, affecting hospitals that rely on this crucial blood type. About 38% of the population has type O positive, which can be given to anyone with a positive type, meaning that about 76% of the population can receive O positive transfusions, making it the most frequently used blood type. Type O negative serves as the universal blood type, crucial in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
About National Blood Donation Day
Dr. Wachs, a host on Talk Media Network and iHeart Radio, regularly discusses medical topics on her show and consistently encourages her listeners to donate blood. In 2015, she successfully advocated for the establishment of Nevada Blood Donation Day to raise awareness about the importance of blood donations. In 2016, amid a national blood shortage, she reached out to governors across all 50 states to establish National Blood Donation Day.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
