According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, for cancer treatment, for some chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries and accidents. This lifesaving care starts with one person, you, making a generous donation. As most of us know, the need for blood is constant, but only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood each year. That’s how you can help the American Red Cross and make sure that our blood supply meets our blood demands.

Credit: American Red Cross
Credit: American Red Cross
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Here's some food for thought next time you are thinking of giving blood, or not.

  • Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States and nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year here.
  • Sickle Cell Disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the US with about 1,000 babies born each year with the disease. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their entire lives.
  • A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
  • Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
  • The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
  • And finally, and most importantly; one donation can help save MORE than one life.
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All of the above reasons make giving blood and events like the Battle of the Badges here in Dubuque so important. Appointments for this event are encouraged which you can schedule at www.redcrossblood.org with the sponsor code Dubuque. You can also call event coordinator Nicole at 563-275-0597. Birds Food Truck will also be on site during the event and all blood donors will receive a coupon for a discount on their lunch. Schedule your giving before May 19th and get a $10 gift card by email to select merchants.

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