October is Liver Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors that organ transplant patients often rely on donated blood products. Liver transplant patients may need 30 or more transfusions during the surgery.

Recently, a liver transplant patient at a hospital served by the Red Cross was treated with more than 75 units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Liver transplants are the second most common transplant, with more than 6,000 performed every year in the U.S. – and more than 16,000 Americans are currently waiting for a liver transplant, according to the American Liver Foundation.

Please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets to help patients like these and many others.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Oneida County
Oct. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at AmericInn, 648 W. Kemp St. in Rhinelander.

Vilas County
Oct. 8 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at St. Peters Church, 5001 County Road G in Eagle River.
Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northland Pines High School, 1800 Pleasure Island Road in Eagle River.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.