IPA Third American Red Cross Blood Drive

IPA drew a record number of contributors at its national headquarters here for its Third Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive, it was announced today.

More than 60 donors generously contributed to the IPA effort to support the American Red Cross and individuals in need of replacement blood. Nearly 30% of the participants during the record IPA event last week were repeat donors. The remaining 70-plus percent were first time contributors.

"This is the Third Annual IPA Blood Drive and without question, the most successful one to date," said Lawrence Smith, American Red Cross Donor Recruitment Representative. "Without the help of companies and donors like IPA, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We thank all of the donors for their time and care.”

In addition to the blood drive, IPA Charities has contributed $2,500 to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago in order to support local Red Cross volunteers to work day and night to make the community safer. IPA Charities is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to the quest of improving communities and people’s lives around the world.

Typically, blood supplies nationwide are at their lowest point of the year in the beginning of July with most of the country falling below a two-day supply and many below a one-day supply of blood. Blood supplies continue to be in short supply throughout the summer and more importantly, the need for blood and blood products increases.

The Red Cross is appealing to all individuals to donate blood and is particularly interested in Type O negative blood, the universal blood donor type, since it can be transfused to anyone in cases of emergencies. Anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds or more and in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or log on to www.givelife.org and make an appointment today.

The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders, and the organization works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions.