Winter weather is having a negative impact on the American Red Cross blood program.
Over the last couple of weeks, numerous blood drives were cancelled and those that did remain open experienced low donor turnout.
The winter months are a difficult time for blood collection. Snow and ice can cause blood drive cancellations; donors are more likely to suffer from colds and the flu, making them ineligible to give blood and people are busy with holiday planning and travel and either don’t have the time or forget to give blood.
“We face a difficult situation each year because donations typically drop during the holiday season. However, the need for blood is constant,” said Sean Armstrong, DeKalb County Blood Program Representative. “The Tennessee Valley Region needs 600 people to present to donate blood each day, no matter what the weather, to meet patient need at our 59 hospitals.”
You can help by donating blood at the Smithville Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 4th from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 201 South College Street in Smithville.
All presenting donors receive a specially designed Elvis themed rock & roll T-shirt, while supplies last. Plus, all presenting donors are eligible to enter the “Ultimate Elvis Sweepstakes.”
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Thank you for taking an hour out of your day to help save up to three lives.
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