×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Media Blood Drive To Double Staff at Arena

Event is from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday

File photo by Scott McCloskey The annual Ohio Valley Media Day blood drive is set from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday at WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling.

The good people of the Ohio Valley are accustomed to rolling up their sleeves and helping neighbors in need.

It will be no different on Monday when the 31st-annual Ohio Valley Media Day Blood Drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at WesBanco Arena.

Past Media Day blood drives have collected hundreds of usable units of blood to serve patients in the region via the American Red Cross. After some glitches in past drives that caused long lines and wait times, Red Cross officials have promised this year’s Media Day event will be greatly improved.

Sharon Kesselring, executive director of American Red Cross of Northwest West Virginia, said the organization is working to improve the registration and blood collection process. The timing of the blood drive is especially important at this time as there is a critical need for blood.

“We will have double the staff as last year. We are encouraging donors to make appointments online. They can register online and on the morning of the event with RediPass. That will exclude having to fill out forms at the drive. Of course, we always welcome walk-ins.”

However, a message on the Red Cross website on Friday stated, “Online appointment scheduling will be temporarily unavailable for scheduled maintenance from Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. To make a blood donation appointment during that time, please email Customer Care at customercare@redcross.org. Blood drive coordinators can contact their donor recruitment representative for assistance. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Kesselring said donors can get online Monday morning and complete the registration form on RediPass to speed the process when they get to the arena. Parking is free for donors at the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center.

The extra staff on Monday will mean more tables available for the actual blood donation process, she said.

“Having long lines is a good problem to have, and we are trying any and all ways to fix this,” Kesselring said.

She believes starting the drive at 11 a.m., which is later than in past years, will allow staff more time to set up and be prepared for the donors. In the past, winter weather played a role in delaying some donors and staffers from reaching the donation site.

Donors will be treated to a free T-shirt and plenty of free food after donating. Red Cross officials work to make the atmosphere at WesBanco Arena party-like at the Media Day blood drive. Members of the Ohio Valley area media are challenging the public to come out and make this blood drive a huge success.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today