IRONTON — As a result of the impact of recent weather patterns seen across the country on the blood supply, officials at the Greater Alleghenies Region of American Red Cross Blood Services say it has become even more imperative that drives currently on the schedule meet their collection goals.

Lisa Hart, senior director of donor recruitment at the Red Cross said the winter storms resulted in the loss of approximately one-third of the potential collections. “This continues to be an immediate concern to us,” she stated.

Upcoming local blood drives, all open to community donors, include:

Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Baptist Church in the Faith & Fitness Center at 400 Vernon St., Ironton, Ohio.

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lavalette United Methodist Church, 4623 US Route 152, Lavalette, W.Va.

 While all blood types are needed every day, currently there is an ongoing need for O negative and B negative blood types.  

Hart goes on to explain that it is imperative to do everything possible to make upcoming blood drives successful. “We work to get the word out to our donors that their donation is needed. That can include postal mailings, emails and media messaging.”

 “We understand the weather can be unpredictable. The Red Cross does everything possible to keep the blood drives on schedule and works to ensure their success,” she comments. “We just ask that donors come out to support blood collection efforts in their communities.”

 For blood donation opportunities in your community, to schedule an appointment to donate or to check on the status of a blood drive near you, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.