American Red Cross seeks blood donors

VW independent/submitted information

The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors to choose their day to give and help ensure blood is available for patients all summer long during its annual summer awareness campaign, sponsored by Suburban Propane.

“Many Americans will be celebrating the unofficial start to summer this Memorial Day weekend, but seasonal activities that bring joy to so many can also lead to a shortage of blood and platelet donations when regular donors become busy,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships for the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Patients don’t get a summer holiday from needing lifesaving blood and platelet donations and are counting on generous volunteers to help maintain a sufficient supply this summer.”

To encourage donations around the Memorial Day holiday, those who come to give blood or platelets from May 27-31 will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 14,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. However, during the summer months of June, July and August, about two fewer donors schedule an appointment to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need.

Upcoming blood drives include the following:

Van Wert County

• Friday, May 27, from 1-6 p.m., at the Van Wert Health Center, 140 Fox Road.
• Thursday, June 2, from 12:30-6:30 p.m., at Elks Lodge 1197, 1197 Elks Drive (off Van Wert-Decatur Road).