Urgent Call for Blood, Platelets by Red Cross

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Pickaway County are July 13 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m.at the Circleville Police Department/Municipal Building, 151 E. Franklin St.; July 20 from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 E. Mound St.; and July 28 from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m.at Berger Hospital, 600 N. Pickaway St.

Every 2 seconds in the United States, someone is in need of blood. Donating blood only takes about 10 minutes but it can mean the difference between life and death. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks”.

“Our reserves of blood are now depleted to a less than one day supply on our shelves”, she continued. “With school out of session during the summer, it’s hard for us to reach these important donors, and many don’t donate during the summer”.

“Summer is one of the most challenging times of the year for blood donations, because we go on vacation and plan other activities that fill up our schedules”, Red Cross spokeswoman Patty Corvaia wrote in an email.

The organization provides blood for most hospitals in North Mississippi, as well as hospitals from Meridian to Hattiesburg.

“Unfortunately, due to high patient usage and fewer donations from the public, we find it necessary to alert the public about the dire need for all blood types, especially the Rh negative types”, said Mitzi Breaux, UBS marketing and communications manager.

Mercy Medical Center receives its blood from the New York Blood Center, which hosts blood drives all around Long Island. Donors are encouraged to make a donation appointment to reduce possible wait times at blood donation sites.

Donors are advised to limit their intake of caffeine on the day of donation, drink lots of water, eat a substantial meal 30 to 45 minutes before arrival and bring a list of current medications to the donation center.

To donate blood, a person must be at least 17 – or 16 with a parental consent form – weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.

Though walk-ins will be welcomed, an appointment can be made by calling Larscheid at 326-8603, or online at http://www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: toga). A photo ID is required to donate.

Brentwood July 14 from noon to 6 p.m.at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way July 22 from 1 to 7 p.m.at Resurrection (Ministries) Lutheran Church, 1275 Fairview Ave.