Need for blood remains urgent

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 Saturday through 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.

Here is a list of drives planned across the Tri-State Area during the next several weeks:

• Tuesday, noon to 5 p.m. at the Wells Township Community and Senior Center in Brilliant.

• Friday, noon to 5 p.m., Chester American Legion.

• Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

• Nov. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Eastern Gateway Community College.

• Nov. 6, noon to 5:30 p.m. at Crossroads Christian Church in Wintersville.

• Nov. 8, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Steubenville High School.

• Nov. 9, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Weirton-Steubenville Area.

• Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Toronto Junior-Senior High School.

Local residents are generous with their time and money — they 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.

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