Based on numbers provided in the 2022-2023 Consolidated Post Report, which includes information submitted by more than 8,200 American Veterans Affairs posts, approximately 60,000 Veterans with more than 100,000 units of blood Donated by a donor from the Society family.
Members of the Legion family then participated in a two-day Red Cross blood drive at the 104th National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thirty-seven Legion family members donated during the two-day blood drive. And the Legion’s annual holiday blood drive has just concluded its annual drive.
But even though the holidays are over, the need for blood donations is at a critical level. Earlier this week, the American Red Cross announced it was in dire need of blood as the number of blood donors was at its lowest point in 20 years.
The Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood donations. Dr. Eric Gary, medical director of the American Red Cross, told ABC News that if a hospital does not have a full blood bank, patients who need blood transfusions may be delayed, surgeries may be rescheduled, and additional difficulties may arise. He said there is. Allows patients with rare blood types to find matching donors.
“Hospitals need more blood than they can supply at current donation levels, and this is really… a long-term problem,” he told ABC News.
The need for blood donations is at a critical level. That’s why donating blood through the American Legion Blood Donor Program can make a huge impact now.
The American Legion Blood Donor Program began in 1942, when much-needed plasma was shipped overseas to supply the U.S. military in World War II, and members volunteered to help meet domestic needs locally. It all started when I was asked to donate blood. Over the years, The American Legion has grown to become the nation’s top organizational blood donor to the Red Cross.
If your American Legion post, district, or division is interested in hosting a local blood drive, the American Red Cross invites you to visit this link to learn more about how to begin the process. Recommended. Additional information about donating blood can also be found at:
– American Red Cross, redcrossblood.org
– American Association of Blood Banks, aabb.org
– Council of Regional Blood Centers, givingblood.org
The American Legion Blood Donor Program recognizes two areas of blood donation activity: retroactive participation and individual veteran participation. The participating submission award will be given to the category with the highest number of participating submissions. The Individual Participation Award is given to the category with the highest percentage of individuals who donate blood to the program.
