Volunteers are being called on to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand, or a vein, to help out others during an upcoming American Red Cross blood drive.
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive Monday at Oak Street Baptist Church at 804 Oak St., Elizabethton, from 1:30-6 p.m.
Donor Recruitment Representative Gwen Hunter said more blood donations are needed in the summer months, because of a mix of steady need but lower supply.
“Vacations and summer activities often result in a decline in blood donations during the summer,” Hunter said. “In fact, during the months of June, July and August, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need. If everyone donates one more time this summer than they usually do, the blood supply will be strong.”
Hunter said no appointment was necessary to donate blood, and that walk-ins are welcome.
“Making a blood donation with the Red Cross is an easy way to extend hope and help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients here in our community and across the nation,” Hunter said.
Hunter said by giving blood through the American Red Cross, donors support the entire mission of the Red Cross.
“190 times a day a family affected by a disaster is helped,” she said. “5,600 times a day someone receives a Red Cross unit of blood. 1,000 times a day Red Cross provides services to military members, veterans and their families. 25,000 times a day Red Cross teaches someone lifesaving skills like CPR. 424,000 times a day a child receives a measles vaccination from the Red Cross or its partners.”
The only requirements for blood donors is they be in good health, be at least 17 years old and weight at least 110 pounds.