Give Blood: American Red Cross needs your donation

One plea after another for blood donors has been met with some response, but not nearly enough to meet the demand in our hospitals.

According to the American Red Cross, “Donors have been stepping up to help rebuild the blood supply since the American Red Cross first announced our national blood shortage last month. Unfortunately, hospital demand continues to outpace donations. We need an additional 10,000 blood donations each week over the next month to meet patient needs.”

If you have Type O blood, you are especially encouraged to give.

Of course there is a new round of incentives Oct. 21 to Nov. 9 — $10 restaurant gift cards for donors and entry for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card — but the real incentive should be knowing you might make the difference in saving a life. And, no, having received your flu or updated COVID-19 vaccine will not make you ineligible to give.

Generally speaking, if you are 17 years of age in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, you may be eligible to donate blood.

Mid-Ohio Valley residents can do so from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center at 215 Fifth St., Marietta; from 1-6 p.m. Oct. 30 or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Grand Central Mall; or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9 at Mid-Ohio Valley Medical Group, 800 Grand Central Mall, Vienna.

Local residents are generous with their time and money — always have been. But in this case, the need to roll up the sleeves and get to work takes on a different sense of urgency. Such a significant shortage in our hospitals means everyone who is eligible must consider giving blood — gift card or not.