The American Red Cross supplies 40% of all blood and blood products in the United States. This organization estimates that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. will require a blood transfusion. On a daily basis, hospitals will need 44,000 units of blood to treat patients.

In its year-round effort to increase the country’s blood supply, the American Red Cross conducts publicity urging the public to donate blood at one of its local centers or to host a blood drive. The sponsorship of blood drives by businesses, schools, or other organizations remains one of the most successful strategies for blood donations. The advantages of hosting a blood drive are many:

• It provides a convenient location for individuals to be of service to their community
• It builds good will for businesses and other organizations
• It demonstrates a win-win strategy where the American Red Cross can achieve its blood collection goals while providing a way for individuals to feel they are helping to save lives

For more information about how your business or organization can host a blood drive, please visit: www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive.

About the author: As a physician, Kevin Buckwalter assisted in many American Red Cross blood drives. He owns Kevin Buckwalter M.D. Ltd.