The Silbernagel Group encourages every business in Kewaskum to donate blood at the August 9 Blood Drive at Kewaskum Middle School.
Over 50% of The Silbernagel Group has already signed up to donate blood. Jim Silbernagel the head of the business is leading the way. “I want there to be blood available if and when needed for myself, my family and friends,” he said. “The demand for blood is constant. The supply is not.”
In the U.S someone needs a blood transfusion every 2.5 seconds. The blood need is at an emergency level. That means there is only one-day supply of blood available at this time.
Why is the need for blood rising? About four million people needed a blood transfusion last year. This figure is expected to increase annually due to: an increase in catastrophic events in our country; the aging population; the rising number of surgeries performed in the U.S. that require transfusions (such as open heart surgery, knee-replacement and hip-replacement surgeries) and the increase in procedures and surgeries, such as organ transplants that require numerous transfusions. A bone marrow transplant patient needs three weeks of transfusions and a person undergoing a liver-transplant operation requires 20 units of blood or more.
When you give blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive site, you will be benefiting yourself. You will receive a free mini-medical checkup. Regular blood donation is associated with lowered risks for cancer including lung, colon, liver, throat and stomach cancers. Donating blood can improve cardiovascular health. People who donate blood regularly over the years have an 88% lower risk of heart attack and a 33% lower risk of any severe cardiovascular event, such as stroke.
When you give blood, you get rid of the old red blood cells and your body produces new red blood cells.
Your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. You will know that you have helped change a life. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make your appointment. Available donation times are 1:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.