May rolls around, the warm weather kicks in and school is out for summer vacation. The stress of homework and finals disappear, and worries don”t extend much further than getting a good tan. But the worry and need for blood never goes away.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that operates on community blood donation centers. Schools, businesses, churches, community members and others sponsor the center.
Barbara Flathers, coordinator of the Red Cross in the Palouse region, said the Red Cross supplies 40 percent of the nation”s blood supply. Although an estimated 38 percent of the US population is eligible to give blood at any given time, only about 10 percent of that population actually does each year. During the summer months, the number of donors drop significantly, Flathers said.
On May 31 and June 1, St. Mark”s Episcopal Church held a two-day blood drive.
Joni Cordell is working on giving her 16th gallon. She first gave blood when she was 18 years old in college. She said if donated blood isn”t used locally, the Red Cross sends an email telling donators where it was sent. Cordell said her blood was used during Hurricane Sandy.
Anne Pekie started giving blood in her 30s. Her sister was recently in a car accident, and broke one of her thighbones. She would have bled out if enough blood wasn”t supplied to her.
Wayne Peterson has made 35 donations. He said giving blood is an easy way to contribute and help people. To him, the worst part is the pricking of a finger during preparation.
The Red Cross works on promotions, such as providing incentives for donors. This past week, donors were gifted a t-shirt.
To find a local blood drive, go to redcrossblood.org and enter in the local zip code.
Mary Phipps
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