Blood donations are urgently needed By Jo-Ann Lamon Reccoppa Area hospitals are experiencing blood shortages, so the need for donations is critical. Never has the need for blood been so critical. Area hospitals are experiencing a drastic shortage of blood, needing a four- to five-day supply, but having on hand barely a two-day supply of blood instead. Blood donations are down, endangering the lives of trauma patients and causing those who are scheduled for elective surgery to postpone their operations. So vital is the need for blood in this area that doctors fear they will have to choose which patients will receive blood transfusions and which will not. "All blood banks seem to be experiencing the same decline in donations," says Hillary Cummons, director of public affairs for the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter. "What many potential donors don't realize is that donating is safe, and blood can be donated as often as every 56 days." Donors make up only 5 percent of the population, yet so much more is needed. Most of these donors only give blood once a year. Giving at least twice a year will help ease the shortage, but more donors are necessary to increase the blood supply. "Trauma patients can need as much as 50 units of blood to save their lives," explains Cummons. "Imagine area hospitals with all the scheduled surgeries and only a single day's blood supply on hand." Eligibility requirements for blood donors aren't as stringent as you may expect. Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and must be in reasonably good health. Those on some medications can also be donors, as can those who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, asthma and allergies. All blood donations are thoroughly tested in the 48 hours before use. Those who wish to donate blood, but are unsure about the safety of their donation, can inform the Red Cross screener during the routine private interview segment of the donation process. You can expect to spend approximately an hour and a half at a blood drive, from the time you arrive until you leave, though the actual act of donating takes 10 minutes. Registration is first, where you are required to provide your name, Social Security number, date of birth and identification. A Red Cross staff member will then take your temperature, blood pressure, and check your pulse. A drop of your blood is also checked to make sure it is safe for you to donate. You will also be asked questions regarding your general health and lifestyle during this interview, which is absolutely private and completely confidential. Next, the site is cleaned and a new, sterile needle is inserted. It only requires about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood. After, you relax, have a snack, and are on your way. Your precious gift of blood will be tested and sent to the blood bank, where it will await distribution to area hospitals and communities with an urgent need for blood. Blood drives are posted on the Jersey Coast Chapter Web site (http://www.jerseycoast-redcross.org) and on the American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region Web site (http://www.pleasegiveblood.org ), or you can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to find a blood drive near you. The Jersey Coast Red Cross Chapter also holds a blood drive each Wednesday at its Tinton Falls office, at 1540 West Park Ave.