Two blood drives will be in Warsaw in August to help collect blood and raise an awareness for more minority organ and tissue donors.
Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County Chapter, said there is a great need for blood donations with recent disasters."The summertime presents a challenge when college and high school students are out of school and the blood supply dwindles," Peppel said.
He said with recent disasters around the world, blood drives normally held in the summer in other countries have not been held.
National Minority Donor Awareness Day is Aug. 1.
The day is designed to increase awareness of the need for more minority organ and tissue donors.
The blood drives will be Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart, 2501 Walton Blvd., and Aug. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St.
Requirements to give blood include a person must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health. All donors will be required to present identification.
There are 16 people who die each day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, while a new name is added to the national waiting list every 16 minutes, according to the American Red Cross.
Although every blood type is important, type-O donors play a critical role in maintaining the blood supply. Type O-negative is often called the universal blood type because it can be transfused to a person with any blood type.
For more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment, call 800-448-3543.
