May is Trauma Awareness Month and the American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to give blood or platelets to ensure lifesaving blood products are available for trauma patients and others with serious medical needs.

Annually, trauma accounts for about 41 million emergency department visits and 2.3 million hospital admissions in the United States, according to the National Trauma Institute. A single car accident victim can need as many as 100 units of blood.

The Red Cross provides blood to around 2,600 hospitals nationwide, including 70 hospitals throughout the Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions.

In the event that time is limited to where a patient’s blood type cannot be determined, such as in emergency trauma situations, type O negative blood and type AB plasma are what emergency personnel use because they can be administered to patients with any blood type. Less than 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood. Donors with these blood types are an important part of the trauma team and encouraged to donate as often as they are eligible.

Throughout the month of May, the Red Cross is hosting eight opportunities for people to donate blood. Among the dates set in the coming weeks are: May 17, from 3-7 p.m. at Bunyan Volunteer Fire Department; May 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at Washington Civic Center; May 19, from 2:30-7 p.m. at First Church of Christ; May 20 at 2 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church in Belhaven; May 23, from 2-6 p.m. at Northeast Elementary School in Pinetown; May 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at Cypress Landing Home Owner Association in Chocowinity; May 28, from 2-6 p.m. at the Washington waterfront; and May 31, from noon to 6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donating blood is vital to saving lives in emergency trauma situations. The upcoming opportunities to donate blood locally are an easy and convenient way to contribute to the cause. Through taking the time to donate blood, one could help save a life.