Location: Family Room

Blood donations historically drop during the summer months, and blood supply levels can become critically low following the Labor Day weekend. Blood has a limited shelf-life. Red blood cells, the portion of blood most commonly used for trauma patients, are only good for 42 days, and platelets, commonly used for cancer patients, are only good for five days. The Red Cross announced that increased blood and platelet donations during September are needed to ensure an adequate and continuous supply of blood and blood products for local hospitals.

The demand for blood has increased in past years because of a growing population, an aging population requiring more medical care, and increasingly sophisticated medical procedures that improve health care but also require blood transfusions. Meanwhile, blood donations routinely drop during the summer months when high schools and colleges are out of session.

The Red Cross offers a special thank you to all the caring people who took time from their busy schedules this summer to help save lives. Now we encourage everyone to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets during September and in the coming months. Your donation can help make a difference to a loved one, a friend or a stranger-and that is an amazing thing.

All eligible donors are asked to schedule an appointment to donate blood at Suzanne Elise Assisted Living, 101 Forest Dr on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 12:00 PM to 5:00PM by calling Jessica Raphael at (503) 738-0307 or schedule online at www.redcrossblood.org Sponsor Code: suzanneelise.