Red Cross drives seeking donors

A NEED TO DONATE — Area blood drives have taken place during the past several months, including at Harding Middle School in the summer, when Steubenville resident Melissa Crossley, left, was among the donors who participated. American Red Cross Collection Specialist Jamie Zifzal helped throughout the process. Residents are encouraged to attend any upcoming drive to help the nonprofit make it through the winter months. -- Julie Stenger
STEUBENVILLE — Yes, this is yet another article asking the community to donate blood. It is of little interest to many.
You will look at the title, decide the pleas are of no consequence and move on. Time and again, the wording changes only slightly and the paragraphs read pretty much the same.
They are easy to disregard because they are uninteresting. The pieces are boring, irrelevant — at least until something happens in your world — and in an instant, you suddenly realize the relevance.
People in every corner of the earth require blood. It is a need that will never go away. There are too many accidents, too many illnesses, too many patients.
And the reason you are continually being asked to donate is because it is one of the few things that money will never be able to buy. If it were that simple, there would never be a need to read or not read another article about donating.
We are more than midway through January, National Blood Donor Month. People are being asked to contribute because Mother Nature has other plans for us during the winter.
Blood drives across the country are being canceled. The cold and flu season has prompted many individuals to stay home. The wildfires in California have caused additional cancellations. The need for blood donors continues to increase.
Those with the American Red Cross are urging residents to take a few moments and make an appointment.
According to Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross Ohio River Valley Chapter, “The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, the cold and flu season can prevent people from keeping their donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.”
The nonprofit is hoping more people will step up and help save lives.
Kesselring said those who are feeling well enough to make and keep a donation appointment, are encouraged to help get the blood supply back on track through winter.
She noted Type O negative and B negative bloods are greatly needed, as well as blood platelets.
All businesses and organizations are being asked to hold blood drives. Those interested can schedule a time at RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) RED CROSS.
As an incentive, donors who give through Jan. 26 will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX giveaway.
For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
Upcoming drives include: The 39th-annual Media Blood Donor Drive, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack; St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 604 Colliers Way, Weirton, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 23; Lighthouse Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 336 W. Main St., Richmond, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27; Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, 1509 county Highway 22A, Bloomingdale, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29; Toronto High School, 1305 Dennis Way, Toronto, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30; and Christ the Teacher, 1235 University Blvd., Steubenville, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5.