Red Cross teams with Sports Clips to save lives

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. This September, the American Red Cross is teaming up with Sports Clips Haircuts in hopes to make a difference. 
“We have an urgent need for the most needed blood types right now (O negative, A negative and B negative.) As the summer comes to a close, September becomes a very important month because school starts back up,” said Red Cross External Communications Manager Sue Thesenga.  “This is a great opportunity for people who are going back to school to donate blood and get a free hair cut. It is also a great time for people to remember the people who served our country on Sept. 11 by giving blood.”
Those who donate blood or platelets from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut that is valid through Nov. 8. 
“In the summer we see a decline in blood donations, so the fall typically picks up again because schools are back in session. 25 percent of blood donations come from college and high school students during the academic school year,” Thesenga said. 
According to the American Red Cross, the organization needs to collect 15,000 blood donations every day nationwide to meet the need of patients. In Minnesota, western Wisconsin and eastern South Dakota, the Red Cross hosts around 25 to 30 blood drives a day and, on average, collects 1,000 pints of blood a day. 
“Sports Clips is very generous in providing this donation; that is an amazing gift that we can give our volunteer blood donors as an appreciation for their life-saving gift that they are giving someone,” Thesenga said. 
“A sufficient blood supply is a community-wide responsibility, and Sport Clips is proud to continue our partnership with the Red Cross to raise awareness of the need for blood and platelet donations,” said Corporate Communications Manager for Sport Clips, Margaret Briscoe. “This is Sport Clips’ way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who support the Red Cross’ important mission.” 
There are a few things Thesenga says many people may not realize about giving blood. First, red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days and platelets a shelf life of five days, so both constantly have to be replenished. 
Secondly, when someone has surgery people often think the patient might need one pint of blood, says Thesenga, but in reality they might need 10 pints. 
“It only takes an hour of your time and it doesn’t cost a dime,” she said. “It is a great way to give back.” To make a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor application, visit redcrossblood.org/sports-clips or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 
The next blood drive in Dodge County will be on Sept. 9 from 1 to 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Claremont. In Steele County, the next blood drive is on Sept. 9 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Ellendale Community Center or on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ag Power Enterprise in Owatonna.