BEDFORD – The City of Bedford, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will host a blood drive on Tuesday, May 31st from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Milwaukee Depot Building located at 1401 J St.
The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in the community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.
The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.
Locally, blood transfusions helped save the life of 4-year-old Harbor, and her mother Jordan Webb wants everyone to know how critical these blood drives are, because one day it may save a life.
“I never knew how crucial it was to give blood until my 4-year-old daughter developed stage 2 neuroblastoma last year. During one of her treatments, she received a platelet transfusion,” Webb said. “When they removed her softball-sized tumor in a 7-hour surgery she received multiple bags of red blood cells. The national blood shortage is at an all-time low, and the American Red Cross needs individuals like you to step up and donate to help those who are in need. If it weren’t for the amazing donors, Harbor wouldn’t have been able to have those crucial blood transfusions. I choose to donate for my daughter Harbor.”
