Week honors those who collect lifesaving blood

A lot of things have to work together to save a life when things go wrong, medically. One of the key components, even when a planned surgery is involved, is the availability of the right type of blood.

Donors are vital, of course, and we've often passed along pleas for volunteers with all types of blood, especially the rarer types.

But someone has to collect that precious liquid carefully and correctly in order to send it to where it is needed most.

That's why the Midwest Region Blood Services of the American Red Cross is joining other blood centers across the country in observing Blood Collectors Week.

"The excellent work of our blood collectors across the country is absolutely critical to the work we do," said Erin Behrens, spokesperson for the Red Cross. "Their professionalism and dedication is a large part of why we are able to successfully support hospitals and patients every day," she said.

Each year, the Red Cross collects approximately 6.5 million units of blood from roughly 4.5 million volunteer blood donors. From these donations, the Red Cross distributes about 9.5 million blood products each year, including 6 million red blood cells, to patients at approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

The Midwest Region is one of nine divisions and 36 Blood Services regions across that accomplish the work. Based in Omaha, the division supplies blood products and specialized laboratory services to more than 80 hospitals in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Kansas.

In a lifesaving partnership with approximately 73,000 volunteer blood donors, 1,200 volunteer blood drive coordinators and 600 staff members, the Midwest Region organizes nearly 2,800 blood drives to collect more than 150,000 pints of blood each year for patients in need.

We try to pass along information about upcoming blood drives, and appreciate the effort of the donors involved. But this week is a good time to honor those who see those efforts result in a lifesaving supply of blood, delivered when and where it is needed.

For more information, or to check on the next nearest blood drive, call (800) GIVE?LIFE or visit http://www.givebloodgivelife.org