Time to give blood

One plea after another for blood donors has been met with some response, but not enough.

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.

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.

Upper Ohio Valley residents can do so from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, 905 National Road in Wheeling; from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Disabled American Veterans office in Bellaire, 3134 Guernsey St.; and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Bridgeport High School, 55707 Industrial Drive.

Local residents are generous with their time and money. But in this case, the need to roll up their sleeves takes on a different sense of urgency. Such a significant shortage in our hospitals means everyone who is eligible must consider giving blood.