Red Cross 'Donor Days' Today, Thursday

With summer in full swing, blood supplies are once again running critically low in our area. You can help do something about that today and Thursday at the 36th Annual Red Cross Donor Days Blood Drive.

The drive will be held at the Robert Cherry Civic Center, 2701 Park Avenue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Donors will receive a free Donor Days T-shirt, a free car wash from Finish Line, and free pizza courtesy of Pizza Inn beginning at 11 a.m. There will also be a drawing for a $50 gift card every hour of the event.

Anthony Tinin with the American Red Cross says blood is usually in short supply, but it is especially hard to come by in the summer months. He urges everyone to make time to come out and help save lives. 

"The red cross just announced emergency level blood shortages were at less than a 2 day supply of type blood which is the most common blood type we need to be at a 5 day supply so that tells you how serious the situation is." Tinin said.

Only about three out of every 100 Americans donates blood, according to Tinin. He said a series of recent tragic events have helped emphasize the need for blood right now.

"Just recently in our area we've had some very serious car accidents unfortunately, just kind of a sobering reminder of why the blood supply has to be there. We all know people who've gone through chemotherapy and struggled through that. Many of those patients have been blood recipients. People have surgeries, those things happen every day in our area." Tinin said.

Tinnin said all blood types are needed, but type O-negative is most needed because of its compatibility with all blood types.

"The time is critical for people to come out, give blood and help someone in need," Tinin said. "It's urgent for you to show up one of these two days and work it into your schedule."