The need is ‘critical,’ consider donating blood at Alfred training center | County Report

York County Government is joining forces with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on July 30 and is looking for people to make the commitment to donate a pint, by reserving a time and following through with the appointment. The blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the drill hall at York County Regional Training Center. The training center is located at 79 First County Way (take Layman Way off Route 4, First County Way is the first right) in Alfred. To schedule your donation online, visit [www.redcrossblood.org](https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=yorkcounty).   Why commit now, you ask? Well, the need for blood is critical and summer can be hectic, so signing up now gets that part done. “We want to make sure people are aware of the blood drive so they can make arrangements during this busy summer season,” said Jennifer Elwell of the York County Human Resources Department. How critical is the need? Advertisement “We rely on blood donors every single day to meet patient needs, and the summer months are consistently some of the most challenging for maintaining a stable blood supply, “ said Jennifer Costa, regional communications director for the American Red Cross. “Right now, there is an urgent need for blood donors. Scheduled donations, which account for 90% of all blood donations, have dropped sharply in recent weeks.” Speaking in early June, Costa said the blood supply had fallen by several thousand units in just a week, raising concerns that the decline could worsen as the summer goes on. She estimated nearly 60% of blood donation appointments throughout Maine remained unfilled and that any disruption in donations can add pressure to the blood supply at a time when every donation is crucial. Whole blood is the most common donation, and helps all patients, according to American Red Cross Blood Services. Donors must weigh at least 110 poundsand can have any blood type. “Power Reds” is the preferred donation for trauma patients. Power Reds allows you to safely donate two units of red cells and receive your platelets and plasma back with some saline. The benefit to the donor is threefold: It’s a smaller needle, you get to sit up, and you feel better afterward because you get fluids returned. For Power Reds, males must be a minimum of 5-foot-1’ and 130 pounds Females must be a minimum of 5-foot-3 and 150 pounds. Blood types required for Power Reds are A negative, B negative, O negative and O positive. “Be that lifeline for patients in need,” Costa said. “Blood donations save lives,” noted Elwell. _Tammy Wells is media specialist for York County Government. _Artwork credit: American Red Cross Copy the Story Link Tagged: [American Red Cross](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/american-red-cross/), [blood drive](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/blood-drive/), [york county government](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/york-county-government/)