Blood drive set for Friday, Nov. 5

The American Red Cross has issued a special appeal for blood donations during the fall season. This summer, the Red Cross had a particularly difficult time recruiting enough blood donors to meet the requirements of the community’s hospitals and the patients they serve.

The extremely high temperatures kept donors inside; most schools were not in session to hold blood drives; and the Red Cross experienced a high number of donors who were unable to keep their appointments, according to the organization. Therefore, to continue to meet the needs of hospital patients, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make and keep an appointment to donate blood this Halloween season.

This year alone, as many as 4 million patients will require blood transfusions including accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.

Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

All eligible donors are asked to schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-1767) or visiting redcrossblood.org.