According to Krystal Overmyer, external communications manager for the Red Cross, every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943 has recognized March as Red Cross Month.
“Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities, helping to prepare for and bringing help and hope after emergencies,” Overmyer said.
This year is no different, as the organization hopes the month-long celebration encourages donors to help restore a blood supply which was depleted over the winter.
“Heroes of all blood types are needed to ensure a sufficient blood supply this spring,” Overmyer said. “The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients.”
Barry Porter, the eastern N.C. regional director for the Red Cross, said that during Winter Storm Jonas, which brought snow and ice to much of the state during the weekend of Jan. 22, a total of 50 planned blood drives were canceled in the region. He estimated that around 2,200 blood donations were not collected as a result. Cold, wet, or other stormy conditions can deter donors from going to blood drives, he said, and organizations which host blood drives such as churches are less likely to host during the holidays when their time is occupied by other efforts.
Porter added that about 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood regularly. In order to give blood in North Carolina, he said the donor has to be at least 17 years of age (or 16 with parental consent), be in good health, have an hour to spare and not have donated blood within the last 56 days.
The Red Cross will hold two blood drives later this month in Sanford. The first will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m on March 18 at Walmart, 3310 N.C. 87 S. The second will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m on March 24 at Central Carolina Community College, 1105 Kelly Drive.
Other local blood drives this month include ones from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 16 at Chatham Central High School, 14950 N.C. 902 W., Bear Creek; 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 19 at First United Methodist Church, 1101 W Raleigh St., Siler City, and from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 25 at Christ Community Church, 220 Campground Road, West End.
A full list of all upcoming Red Cross blood drives can be found at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give.
According to the Red Cross, blood is used to administer healthcare in emergencies, including to accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
“Over a century and a half ago, as gunfire echoed through America's skies and division flared between North and South, a trailblazing woman, Clara Barton, braved bullets and cannon fire to deliver much-needed care, comfort, and supplies to wounded soldiers of the Civil War,” President Obama said on Feb. 29, declaring March Red Cross Month, referring to the foundation’s founder. “Today, supporters, volunteers, and employees of the American Red Cross reflect the best of our Nation's spirit — responding to tens of thousands of tragedies here at home each year and bringing relief and assistance to suffering individuals across the globe.”
———
©2016 The Sanford Herald (Sanford, N.C.)
Visit The Sanford Herald (Sanford, N.C.) at www.sanfordherald.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
