HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month by President Barack Obama, the Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region also recognizes and thanks the blood donors and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to provide blood and blood products to hospital patients both down the street and across the country.

“We are grateful for all the people in our Region who support Red Cross Blood Services,” said John Hagins, CEO of the Blood Services Region. “We have so many people who donate blood, volunteer as blood drive sponsors and volunteer working at the dozens of blood drives each week. Our hospitals depend upon the Red Cross as their primary source of blood products, and the Red Cross depends on the support of people in our communities to achieve its mission.”

Although major disasters capture attention, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities. Helping to mark Red Cross Month are the blood drives in Huntington, Proctorville, Ironton and Lavalette. Blood drives this month are:

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Red Cross Huntington Donor Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Huntington, W.Va.

  Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fairland High School, Proctorville

Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Rock Hill High School, Ironton

Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, Red Cross Huntington Donor Center

Saturday from 10 am to 2 p.m., Lavalette United Methodist Church, Lavalette, W.Va.

The local Blood Services Region serves hospitals, patients and donors in parts of Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

It has a goal to collect approximately 237,000 units of blood this fiscal year in order to supply nearly 100 hospitals in its coverage area.

The Region also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.