Contributed NEED IS CRITICAL — Phyllis Riccadonna and Mitchell Short, center, account managers with the American Red Cross, are joined by Ross Gallabrese, senior writer for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, in asking area residents to participate in the annual Jefferson County Media Day Blood drive, which will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Florian Event Center.

WINTERSVILLE — The need for blood donors is urgent, officials with the American Red Cross said.

That makes this year’s Jefferson County Media Day Blood Drive even more important.

Set for noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Florian Event Center, the drive comes at a time when scheduled donations have dropped sharply, Red Cross officials said.

Eligible donors with blood types O, B-negative or A-negative will be able to make Power Red donations, officials said, a process that allows them to help even more patients.

Donors of all blood types are needed, officials stressed, in an effort to keep a strong supply of blood products available to hospitals during the summer months.

“We have reached the time of year when scheduled donations drop off,” said Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the region’s Red Cross chapter. Those account for 90% of all blood donations, she added.

That drop, she said, has caused the blood supply to fall by several thousand units.

She explained the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day generally brings an increase in severe injuries from summer-related activities, including motor vehicle crashes, ATV crashes and sports-related injuries.

According to AAA, fatal crashes involving teen drivers increase by 30% during the period, which has been labeled the “100 Deadliest Days.”

Statistics from the Red Cross show a victim of a car crash can require up to 100 units of blood. Blood is needed by someone in the United States every two seconds. About 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day, and 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed daily, the Red Cross said.

Everyone who donates Wednesday will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and will be entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or visit Red Cross Blood Services and enter the code “JeffMedia.”

Generally, individuals who are 17 or older, weigh at least 100 pounds and are in good health may be eligible to donate blood.