McLean dermatology office sponsoring urgent blood drive to help Children's Hospital
MCLEAN, Va. (ABC7) — With the holiday season quickly approaching, hospitals are continuously using blood products faster than donations are replacing them.
With an urgent blood drive, sponsored by McLean Dermatology and Skin Care Center, volunteers and staff aimed to reach a goal of getting 40 donors during this Sunday's drive -- in which the goal was met.
The urgent need of blood will specifically help children in our area, as it is critical for those who are undergoing chemotherapy or surgery. During the busy season with a blood shortage, Children's National Medical Center would have to buy 50 percent of their blood from outside sources.
Coordinators of the blood drive say that just one unit of blood alone will help 4-5 children that are in need.
"It’s very acute for children, especially infants. Those that are born with either heart defects or need open-heart surgery. They need blood that’s only five days old. Any older than that they can’t get," said blood drive sponsor Dr. Lily Talakoub.
The 40 units of blood that were collected in the drive will help 200 children in need of blood or platelets at Children's Hospital.
