Blood Donations Needed

Along with all of the other problems that occurring in the nation, there is a nearly invisible emergency in progress.
Blood supplies are at a critical low, and it takes several weeks to rebuild sufficient quantities.
On Sept. 11, the American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage, and has revealed that over the next month, an additional 10,000 units of blood products need to be collected each week to ensure that there are sufficient levels to meet hospital and patient requirements, according to a provided news release.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. When there are incidents with many victims, the usage of blood products increases.
Blood cannot be duplicated in a factory. It must come from human donors. All types of blood are in constant need.
The American Red Cross has several blood drives scheduled each month in the county to help fill the goals, but it takes the commitment of the donors to make these blood drives successful.
To make it easier to set an appointment, the Red Cross has established a free Blood Donor App for smart phones. The app will also help find nearby blood drives, get some of the paperwork completed with RapidPass® and much more. Online, blood drive information is available at www.redcross.org/give-blood.html.
Upcoming October American Red Cross blood drives in Kosciusko County are listed below:
• Tuesday, Oct. 3 – Firemen’s Building, 1013 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 3 – Heritage Park Community Building, 338 S. Walnut, Etna Green, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 7 – YMCA, 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Firemen’s Building, 1013 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, noon to 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 16 – Grace Gordon Rec Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 17 – North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main St., North Webster, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 26 – Firemen’s Building, 1013 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, noon to 6 p.m.
A single donation can save as many as three lives.