Our View: Make a gift that gives three times over
Today is the day you make the decision to become a lifesaver.
Following a national appeal for blood donors in June, a decline in American Red Cross blood supplies was temporarily stanched. But summer storms, extreme heat and a mid-week holiday have combined to create low blood drive turnouts in July — and the need for blood is now greater than ever. Blood donations through the American Red Cross are the lowest they have been in 15 years.
Thousands of blood donations are needed each day to treat accident victims and those with other medical needs, including children with blood disorders. But a little can go a long way. One blood donation saves as many as three lives; and if only three extra donors, above what is expected, gave blood at every blood drive through the end of July, a national blood crisis would be averted.
Three extra donors is not many, and it's a number easily met with your choice to give what others desperately need.
At this time, all blood type donations are needed, but there is an especial need for type O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and B-negative blood types.
There are numerous opportunities to be one of the three extra donors needed at each event between now and the end of August. On Tuesday, July 31, blood donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Watauga Medical Center. To make an appointment for this drive, call (828) 268-9438. To find others, call (800) 733-2767 or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org.
Following a national appeal for blood donors in June, a decline in American Red Cross blood supplies was temporarily stanched. But summer storms, extreme heat and a mid-week holiday have combined to create low blood drive turnouts in July — and the need for blood is now greater than ever. Blood donations through the American Red Cross are the lowest they have been in 15 years.
Thousands of blood donations are needed each day to treat accident victims and those with other medical needs, including children with blood disorders. But a little can go a long way. One blood donation saves as many as three lives; and if only three extra donors, above what is expected, gave blood at every blood drive through the end of July, a national blood crisis would be averted.
Three extra donors is not many, and it's a number easily met with your choice to give what others desperately need.
At this time, all blood type donations are needed, but there is an especial need for type O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and B-negative blood types.
There are numerous opportunities to be one of the three extra donors needed at each event between now and the end of August. On Tuesday, July 31, blood donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Watauga Medical Center. To make an appointment for this drive, call (828) 268-9438. To find others, call (800) 733-2767 or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org.