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Blood drive set for Sept. 19 in Columbus

COLUMBUS—The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency, and severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.
First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800- RED CROSS.
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Thursday, September 19, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Room of Steps to Hope, located at 60 Ward St. in Columbus.
September is National Preparedness Month, and a strong blood supply is key to preparedness for disasters and medical emergencies. Disasters can happen anywhere, at any time, often without warning.
In recent weeks, the weather has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives nationwide, causing approximately 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected. Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross.
In August alone, Tropical Storm Debby caused several blood drive cancellations in North Carolina, causing about 500 donations to go uncollected. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have severe consequences for hospitals and patients.
To learn what disasters may affect your community, visit redcross.org/hazardmap and download the free Red Cross Emergency App for step-by-step guidance, real-time weather alerts and expert preparedness and safety advice.

Submitted by Gail Barksdale