The recent winter storms the Tri-State has endured has certainly caused many inconveniences for everyone, from power and utility outages to road closures and potholes.

Those winter storms also had an impact on blood and platelet donations. According to the American Red Cross, more than 200 blood drives were cancelled across the country — 10 of those were to have been held in one of the 100 counties served by the Red Cross Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, which includes Lawrence County.

People who donate blood and platelets make all the difference for those who suffer traumatic injuries, need organ transplants or are being treated for any number of diseases and disorders. Making sure blood bank shelves stay stocked is important, especially for those with rare blood types like O negative, A negative and B negative.

Donations of platelets are essential since they only have a shelf life of five days.

If you are able to donate, consider giving a little of your time to potentially help save a life. The next blood drive in Lawrence County will be from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on March 20 at Symmes Valley High School.

There will also be a blood drive from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 18 at the King’s Daughters Medical Center Health Education Center.