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Providence Blood Donor Center is here for the local community

In light of the recent Burbank and Van Nuys American Red Cross Blood Donation site closures, Providence Blood Donor Center would like to reassure the San Fernando Valley that we remain to serve the needs of the local community. It is important the community has a convenient, local collection center to meet their donation needs.

The Providence Blood Donor Center exists to meet the transfusion needs of patients and to serve the community as part of the Providence Health System San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys Service Area. Since blood is a vital resource that requires constant replenishment, the Blood Donor Center depends on the active participation of community members, to meet the needs of its patients.

The Providence Blood Donor Center, conveniently located at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, serves this purpose through charitable support of the community. Blood donated by the community is available for use within the community. The Providence Blood Donor Center remains true to the commitment of excellence by providing donor service, blood drives and education throughout the San Fernando Valley.

According to Tim Smith, Blood Donor Recruitment Coordinator for Providence, the need for blood is constant, and volunteer blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States. "If all who are eligible to donate would do so on a regular basis (three to four times per year), blood needs could be met and shortages could become a thing of the past," said Smith.

Everyone, whether it is realized or not, depends on blood. Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 38,000 units of this lifesaving resource. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.

The need for blood is constant, yet despite the growing need for donors, less than 5% of healthy Americans eligible to give blood actually donate each year. This statistic is worse in the Southern California area, with only 3% of the eligible population donating. Giving blood saves lives. Most individuals do not realize that donated blood has a relatively short shelf life - approximately 42 days for Red Blood Cells - which means that our blood supply needs to be constantly replenished. Our nation has a continuing critical need for blood throughout the year and our challenge is to keep meeting this need every day.

If you are at least 17 years of age (16 years with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, you may be eligible to donate blood. The community is invited to donate blood at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, in Burbank, and encouraging others to donate as well. For more information, please call us at (800) 469-9555.