The American Red Cross continues to remind area residents that blood donations are needed every day.

A Red Cross bloodmobile will be at Dawson-Bryant High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15.

The location of the high school is

One Hornet Lane, Coal Grove.

The Red Cross estimates approximately only 5 percent of the U.S. population donates blood in a given year, although several times that amount - up to 60 percent - meet the age, weight and other medical criteria to donate.

More than 1,000 blood donors are needed everyday throughout the Greater Alleghenies Region to support patients in approximately 100 hospitals.

At least one of every 10 hospital patients requires a blood transfusion.

Patients undergoing surgery are the leading users of blood and blood products; other patients requiring a large volume of blood and blood products are those with diagnoses of cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease and trauma.

Anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 105 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Individuals with donor eligibility questions should call the Nursing Collections Office at (800) 542-5663.

Individuals may also check the locations of other blood drives online at www.redcrosslife.org.