Buckwheat can't fix a problem in his home town, but can fix problems that include the entire country? Why don't we elect the New Orleans mayor Nagan next election? They have about the same qualifications. :roll:
And how about those Chicago gun laws that are keeping everyone so safe? :roll:
Jun 23, 2009 10:42 pm US/Central Chicago Violence Endangers Vital Blood Supply Reporting
Pamela Jones CHICAGO (CBS)
O-Negative blood is in short supply at hospital emergency rooms.
There is a real emergency for a county hospital emergency room. The uptick in violence is literally draining the blood supply. And as CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports one specific blood type is running dangerously short.
"I lost a lot of blood, so they had to give me a lot of blood for me to get back on my toes," said De'London Smith.
De'London Smith was stabbed through the heart on Friday. He's still recovering at Stroger Hospital where he says blood transfusions saved him.
"It gave me life again. Because from what I heard, I was dead," Smith said.
But now it's the trauma unit that needs saving. Doctors say the facility's supply of O-negative blood is dwindling.
"So that's the lifesaving blood, and that's what we have virtually nothing left in the hospital," said trauma surgeon Dr. Andrew Dennis.
The blood bank showed us the eight units of O-negative blood that's left. Only three of the units are designated for trauma patients though. Any more outbreaks of violence on the streets pose a threat here.
"Tonight we may be in a very tough situation," Dr. Dennis said. "Because we're that short on O-negative blood."
O-negative is the universal donor type and anyone can accept it when seconds count.
"Anyone that is bleeding, that needs blood emergently, that is their first line of defense," Dr. Dennis said.
Dr. Dennis says the reason for the shortage is the high numbers of victims of shootings and other violent crimes who come here for life-saving treatment.
"We see probably an average of between 10 and 15 people who get shot or stabbed every night," Dr. Dennis said.
Addie Lewis has seen the benefits of blood donation firsthand. She stands in her grandson's hospital room, an 18-year-old shot in the neck.
"Everybody has been so good, he's had about eight or 10 blood transfusions," Lewis said.
Her family and others urge the public to give blood and help save more lives.
"Donate blood to the county because it's my day today and it's someone else's day tomorrow," Lewis said.
CBS 2 talked to Lifesource, which supplies Stroger Hospital and others in Chicagoland. They say the O-negative blood shortage is not unique to Stroger and that they're seeing a shortage across the area. If you donate just once, the blood you give could save three lives.
If you'd like to donate blood, Stroger Hospital is hosting a blood drive Wednesday, June 24th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule your appointment, call Lifesource at (847) 803-7943 or register online by clicking here.
And how about those Chicago gun laws that are keeping everyone so safe? :roll: