By Kelley Weiss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-604582.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Summer can be a hard time for blood banks to keep their supplies stocked. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.
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When summertime hits blood clinics say donations decline because many people are on vacation and schools that hold blood drives are out. But, Mary Kelley, Community Blood Center marketing manager, says popular outdoor activities and traveling can cause more demand during the summer months.
Mary Kelley: "We just urge everyone please do not forget about donating during the summer months because actually the demand goes up higher because there is more frequency of accidents."
The American Red Cross recently went on emergency appeal for blood donations. Kelley says the Community Blood Center, which serves hospitals in 70 counties in Kansas and Missouri, is not on appeal but certain blood type supplies are low. She says those hospital use blood donations for the increased number of surgeries and transfusions during the summer.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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