June 23, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - You can be somebody's hero this summer. All you have to do is give blood, and UAB and the American Red Cross are making it easy with a week's worth of blood drives. The LifeSaver Freedom Festival II kicks off on Fri., June 27 at UAB Hospital's North Pavilion.
The first LiveSaver Freedom Festival drive last summer collected more than 1,000 units of blood, helping UAB maintain a sufficient blood supply throughout the summer, a time of frequent blood shortages.
"The sad truth is that Alabama is forced to import much of the blood needed by patients in our hospitals," said Michael Waldrum, M.D., CEO of UAB Hospital. "We face chronic blood shortages, particularly in summer and during holiday periods. We're counting on the Birmingham and UAB community to help us ensure that we have an adequate blood supply to meet the needs of our patients."
More than 80 percent of the blood used in Jefferson County is collected elsewhere in the state or in other states. UAB Hospital alone uses on average 700 units of blood each week. It is ranked in the top five of hospitals supplied by the Red Cross, making it one the nation's largest users of blood products.
The LifeSaver Freedom Festival II drive will be held in the second floor lobby of UAB's North Pavilion, at the corner of 6th Ave. South and 18th Street. The kickoff drive on Fri., June 27 will run from 1 to 7 p.m. The drive will continue on Sun., June 29 through Thur., July 3. Hours will be 1-7 p.m. Sun. through Wed., and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thur.
Donors will be eligible for special prizes and giveaways, including passes to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail for all donors. Donors can also register for UAB TouchPoints, a rewards program for frequent donors (www.uabtouchpoints.org).
The Red Cross is also hosting a July 2nd drive at the Galleria. Birmingham's Biggest Drive will benefit UAB Hospital and other hospitals in the area. That drive runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the old Belk's store
Last year, UAB Hospital implemented a blood utilization program to better manage the blood supply. The program seeks to boost donation while making sure that available blood is used in the most effective and efficient manner. In the first year, the program has paid dividends.
"We have already reduced our blood needs by better managing the units we have available," said Marisa Marques, M.D., medical director of the hospital Transfusion Service. "This helps ensure that we have blood on hand for those emergencies where it truly is a life-saving resource."
Red Cross officials say a donor can give blood up to six times a year, every eight weeks. The overall process takes about 45 minutes. The actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes. Officials remind blood donors that they must bring a photo ID with them when donating.
Blood products are used during surgery, transplantation, trauma care, difficult pregnancies and cancer treatment. It is not unheard of for a single patient to require as many as 100 units.