Officials with the American Red
Cross want you to give blood this holiday season.
“We know the holidays can be
hectic, but it takes a little more than an hour of your time (to donate blood)
and it could help up to three patients,” said Marianne Spampinato,
communications manager for the American Red Cross.
Spampinato said, every two seconds,
someone in the U.S.
“There are a whole lot of reasons
why people need blood,” she said. “Especially this time of year, with
more people on the road, we want to be prepared for traumas that may take
place.”
On average, the Red Cross must
collect 15,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients at
approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
In recent weeks, Spampinato said
they’ve seen a decline in donations across West Virginia
Between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3, those
who donate blood at an American Red Cross drive will receive a two
ounce brick of coffee and a coupon redeemable for one free pound of coffee from
Dunkin’ Donuts while supplies last.
To find a blood drive, you can go
online to www.redcrossblood.org
or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, 1-800-733-2767.
