<figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-41190">1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood transfusions and a patient needs blood every three seconds.Santa Maria residents hoped to save lives today by making donations to the city’s blood drive.
Mark van de Kamp, public information manager for the city, said that blood donation is a community responsibility. As a government worker, he said it doesn’t take a lot of time to save a life.
“Part of our mission as public employees is to give back and this is something that can be done within about forty-five minutes,” said van de Kamp. “It’s a just a short inconvenience or even a short experience that can have really long lasting impact.”
Donors with type-O negative blood are especially needed because O-negative red cells can be transfused to anyone. Donors with type-AB, positive or negative are also in high demand.
Van de Kamp also said 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood transfusions and a patient needs blood every three seconds nationwide.
If you missed the blood drive, you can still donate by contacting the Vitalant blood donation network in Santa Maria at (877) 258-4825 or by visiting the nonprofit’s website.
