L.A. Needs Your Blood : The Southland’s demand is high, but donors in the region are few

In the Greater Los Angeles community, the demand for blood is extremely high. Several large, sophisticated medical centers here employ many procedures that must utilize a lot of blood. Unfortunately, Los Angeles has something of a trade deficit in these life and death matters. About one-third of our blood supply comes from outside the area.

Nationwide, about 4% to 5% of the general population are blood donors. That’s hardly anything to crow about, but it’s better than Los Angeles, which has a smaller donor rate.

The year 1994 turned out to be another lousy year for blood donations in Los Angeles. And here we are again, with the American Red Cross warning of dangerously low levels of blood supply in Los Angeles County, begging for a few generous folks.

This makes no sense at all.

In case it’s possible that anyone has forgotten, read the editorial above. You’ll note that California leads the nation in natural disasters, and Los Angeles, which nearly floated into the Pacific this past week, certainly leads the state. We have been very lucky, very lucky indeed, that there has not been more loss of life or serious injury in the many disasters that have been endured recently.

What if the Northridge quake, for example, had occurred at 4:31 p.m. on a workday, instead of 4:31 a.m. on a holiday? The loss of life could have been immense, and the injuries would have climbed into the tens of thousands at the very least. We would not have been prepared at all in terms of blood supply, and that is a fact that must change before the lucky timing of these disasters runs out.

Take a not so bold step. Call (800) GIVELIFE, talk to the Red Cross and consider giving blood. It’s time to start a good habit. It’s time to make L. A. self-sufficient in terms of its blood supply.