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Dina Freedman ReportingA new ad campaign is being aimed at younger people to try to get them to step up and donate blood. The thought is by aiming at people 17 to 24 years old that the American Red Cross and Blood Centers can encourage them to be life-long donors.
About 60% of Americans are able to give blood, but here in Utah only about 6% do, which is actually above the national average of 5%.
Blood is used for transfusions and just one donation of blood can help up to three people. The generation of regular donors are people who are getting older, so by aiming awareness at a younger group might yield some new donors.
Dr. Annie Stupps, Medical Director: "The reason we're gearing a campaign towards younger people is because they can donate for the rest of their life, hopefully. We want to get them engaged early for them to understand how important it is for everyone to donate blood and to get them into a regular cycle of donating blood."
Barbara Russell, Blood Donor: "I guess this is something I've always done since I was a teenager, is that to come down to donate blood. I feel like if I can help somebody, then why not."
If you are interested in donating you can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE and set up an appointment. Even with the new ads aiming at younger people, the Red Cross always wants everyone that can give to do so. Type O blood, the universal donations, are always encouraged.
