Blood Donations Sought During Holidays

WHEELING - There is one gift people can give this holiday season that no recipient will want to return - a lifesaving blood donation.

New and returning blood donors are being asked to donate blood now during local drives as a means to bolster current supplies in advance of the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's holidays.

"Every December, the number of people donating blood declines due to holiday travel, colds and flu, and snow/icy weather," said Kristen Lane, communications manager of Vitalant Blood Donation. "In fact, the last two weeks of December typically represent the lowest donation period of the year."

Lane noted that blood donation usually drops by more than 4,000 units in December compared to any other time of year.

As an incentive to come out and donate, Vitalant will give donors a $10 gift card via email. People who donate between now and Dec. 25 will also get the chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

"We measure our supply by blood components and blood types. Whole blood comprises three components; red cells, plasma and platelets. Each of those components helps a specific type of patient," Lane said.

"For example, red cells are often used for trauma patients; platelets are needed by cancer patients, and plasma is used by burn patients and people with some chronic diseases.

"Regarding blood components, we are experiencing a severe shortage of plasma and platelets. From the standpoint of blood types, while all are in demand by hospitals there is a severe need for Type O."

According to Vitaliant, "Type O can be used for most of the population and platelets, which are critical in helping stop bleeding, must be used within a week of donation."

Upcoming Vitalant blood drives include:

-- Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Reynolds Memorial Hospital, 800 Wheeling Ave., Glen Dale;

-- Friday, Dec. 9, from noon to 5 p.m., Wheeling Hospital's Conference Room B, 1 Medical Park, Wheeling;

-- Monday, Dec. 12, from noon to 6 p.m., St Thomas Episcopal Church's Fellowship Hall, 300 Three Springs Drive, Weirton; and

-- Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Howard Long Wellness Center's Lobby, 800 Medical Park Drive, Wheeling.

For more information, visit vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825. People can also schedule an appointment time for a donation if they wish.

Vitalant, formerly known as the Central Blood Bank, collects donated blood to supply local hospitals including WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital, WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital, Weirton Medical Center and East Liverpool City Hospital.

The American Red Cross is also asking for people to come out to its local blood drives to bolster its supplies as well.

Upcoming Red Cross blood drives include:

-- Friday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cabela's at The Highlands;

-- Thursday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Disabled American Veterans, 3134 Guernsey St., Bellaire;

-- Tuesday, Dec. 27, noon to 5 p.m., Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru, 3569 National Road, Triadelphia; and

-- Monday, Jan. 9, noon to 5:30 p.m., Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, 905 National Road, Wheeling.

As an incentive or thank you for donating, people who donate now through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email. Those who donate between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive a limited edition Red Cross long-sleeved gray T-shirt.

The American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley supplies blood products to East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry.

People can schedule a donation time with the Red Cross by calling 800-733-2767, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or visiting www.redcrossblood.org. To save about 15 minutes of time, people can also get Rapid Pass at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.