Historically speaking, blood donations to the wean during the summer months, but the Red Cross of Morrow County is trying to change that.

According to the Red Cross, “Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, but of the available donors, only 8 percent of those who are eligible actually donate.”

The Red Cross runs approximately 20-25 mobile blood drives per day in the 27 county area which makes up the Central Ohio Region.

Besides providing lifesaving blood products, the Red Cross also gives support to victims of disasters, offers health and safety classes, supports the military and affords scholarship opportunities to local high school students.

April is Volunteer Month at the organization.

“We are looking for those individuals who want to help their neighbor, Becky Glass, Account Manager for The Red Cross of Morrow and Knox Counties, states. “Because the Red Cross is a humanitarian organization. We are thankful for all our donors. Morrow County gives with their whole heart and has the best system of volunteer outreach programs in the Central Ohio Region.”

In recognition of that generosity of spirit, “All donors at the blood drives in April will be automatically entered to win a spa and overnight stay in Hocking Hills along with a zip-line tour.

Also all donors at the drives now through May 15, are automatically entered to win four single-day tickets to any Cedar Fair Park, which includes Cedar Point and King’s Island.”

To make donation easier, The Red Cross has streamlined their process and now maintains a RapidPass system where donors can go online and review reading materials, answer the pre-donation questions and save time, making donation as painless as possible.

Currently, the Red Cross is looking for type “O” Negative, the universal donner and the need is urgent. For those who wish to volunteer or donate, please contact Becky Glass at [email protected] or Mike Vance, Volunteer Specialist for Central Ohio, [email protected] or go online to redcrossblood.org.

Courtesy photo

Pictured from left: Senior MGHS students: Hollie Dowalter, Kelsey Snyder, Noah Arrington. Assistant Principal/Athletic Director David Moore and Phlebotomist/Collection Specialist-Terri Donaldson at the Red Cross Blood Drive at Mount Gilead High School.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/04/web1_Gileadbloodrive41316.jpgCourtesy photo

Pictured from left: Senior MGHS students: Hollie Dowalter, Kelsey Snyder, Noah Arrington. Assistant Principal/Athletic Director David Moore and Phlebotomist/Collection Specialist-Terri Donaldson at the Red Cross Blood Drive at Mount Gilead High School.

By Gena Willey

The Sentinel

Current Blood Drives for Morrow County

Cardington-Lincoln HS- April 26

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Morrow County Hospital- April 27

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Trinity UMC– May 9 on 5/9 from 12pm-6pm, Highland HS on 5/11 from 8am-1pm, and St John’s Lutheran Church of North Woodbury on 5/14 from 9am-3pm.

Reach us at [email protected] or 419-946-3010