As published in the Jefferson County Suburban Journals .

Every two seconds, one person in America needs blood.

With each donation of whole blood, the donor has the opportunity to save up to three lives.

On Oct. 12, Cathy Hicks of the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region was interviewed on KJFF Radio and focused on the vital importance of regular blood donors.

The Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region schedules about 30 community blood drives every day and operates convenient blood donation centers throughout the metropolitan area. More than 500,000 blood products are distributed annually to 120 hospitals in 122 counties by the local Red Cross blood region. To meet the substantial need for blood, the Red Cross relies on about 1,200 blood donations every day.

The top priority is the safety and availability of the blood supply. Donated blood undergoes rigorous testing and not a single blood product is released by the Red Cross to hospitals until testing is completed - usually within 24 hours.

The Red Cross separates whole blood donations into their separate components - red blood cells, platelets and plasma - all of which can help save a life. Patients who benefit most from transfusions of red blood cells are those with chronic anemia, malignancies, gastrointestinal bleeding and those with acute blood loss resulting from trauma.

Platelets help to prevent massive blood loss and blood vessel leakage. They are also vital to many cancer patients and those suffering from blood disorders. Plasma serves a variety of functions, from maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and volume, to supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity.

Type O-negative blood is especially important because it can be given to anyone, regardless of blood type. When there is no time to determine a patient's blood type, O-negative blood will be used, making it crucial in emergency situations.

It is preferred that patients receive their own blood type, which is why it's important for everyone to give blood. Type AB red cells can only go to Type AB patients. They are, however, prime candidates to donate plasma through a process called aphaeresis. AB donors are the universal plasma donor - all blood types can accept AB plasma.

In addition to a variety of disaster relief services and health and safety training provided by the St. Louis Area Chapter, blood drives are regularly scheduled at the Jefferson County Service Center in Arnold - 3880 Jeffco Blvd. To make an appointment to donate blood and give the gift of life, the public is encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

The next Red Cross interview will air live on KJFF Radio (1400 AM) on Friday, November 9 with an opportunity for listeners to call in with questions. In the meantime, to learn more about the Red Cross in Jefferson County, please call 636.464.9150 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.