HB Construction Hosts Blood Drive to Help Offset Summer Donation Decline

As a way to help offset the usual decline in blood donations during the summer, HB Construction will hold a United Blood Services Blood Drive at HB Construction Headquarters, 5101 Beverly Hills Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26.

“The last blood drive went really well, it was a great way to get some critical donations for people throughout the community and it gave us a chance to meet some of our [HB Construction’s] neighbors,” said Project Coordinator Melora Lucero, who also serves as company’s annual blood drive coordinator.

During the summer months, blood donations often decline due to various summer activities and family vacations. This is HB Construction’s second blood drive this year.

“The summer months are historically challenging for us,” said Charlene Smith, marketing and communications manager of United Blood Services New Mexico. “We see donations decrease while demand increases so every ‘drop’ counts.”

According to the United Blood Services Website, it is estimated that every two seconds someone in America will need a blood transfusion and that blood transfusions save more than 4 million lives each year.

With only about 40 percent of Americans eligible to donate blood, and of that 40 percent only a fraction who donate regularly, there is a consistent need for blood donations throughout the U.S.

“We are always in need of Type O-negative blood, as it’s the universal blood type; anyone can receive it,” Smith said. “It’s used by babies and when there is no time to type blood in emergency situations, and it’s also carried on life-flights.”

The United Blood Services website also notes that a single donation can help up to three people because whole blood can be separated out into platelets, plasma and red cells, components which can all be used for multiple applications.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. For more information visit unitedbloodservices.org.

To set up an appointment to donate contact Melora Lucero at (505) 856-0404 ext. 104, or sign up online at unitedbloodservices.org, Sponsor Code: HB.