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April is National Volunteer Month making it the perfect time to give blood to the Red Cross.

According to American Red Cross officials, every 2 seconds someone here in the U.S. needs blood.

To meet the continuing need, Manteo Baptist Church at 406 US 64 in Manteo is hosting a blood drive on Monday, April 28 from 1 to 6 p.m. in the church’s Family Life Center/gymnasium.

Donating blood helps ensure that when a need arises there is blood already on the shelves. It’s the availability of blood already on hospital shelves that helps in an emergency. From kids with cancer to accident survivors waiting for critical surgeries, many patients depend on lifesaving blood products, so they can heal and thrive.

One step that can streamline the donation experience as well as to save up to 15 minutes on the day give is to visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to schedule an appointment and complete a few health history questions. A few minutes on that site can help save time during your blood donation visit by reviewing the pre-donation reading materials and answering health history questions ahead of time.

Red Cross also offers a free Blood Donor app that helps put the power to save lives in the palm of your hand. With it, you can find nearby Red Cross blood drives, schedule and manage appointments, complete your RapidPass®, get notified when your blood is on its way to a patient, view results from your mini-physical, and a whole lot more.

The Red Cross depends on the generosity of volunteers to help ensure that blood sufficient lifesaving products are available when patients need them.

Historically only three people out of 100 give blood. That’s one reason the Red Cross has launched a new Blood Donor Rewards program.

During the drive, eligible donors with types O, B negative or A negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation.

The most common donation is whole blood, which is also the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. During a Power Red donation, a donor gives a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of our blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. An automated process separates the red blood cells from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are then safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

Although it’s important to have a steady supply of all blood types, Type O donors are always in demand. Type O positive is the most common blood type, and type O negative can be received by patients of all blood types.

To schedule an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org/ enter the Manteo zip code 27954. If assistance is needed, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), and when prompted, choose menu option #2 to connect to blood donation support staff.

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