The American Red Cross recently issued an emergency call for blood donations.
We recently spoke with Joe Zydlo, the External Communications Manager of the Missouri-Illinois Blood Service Region for the Red Cross. Zydlo stated that the amount of blood donations has dropped in the past few months, causing a shortage in the Red Cross’ blood supply. According to Zydlo, in May and June combined the Red Cross saw 2,500 fewer blood donations than in past years. The reason for the drop in donations is due to the busy summer months and school being out of session. According to Zydlo, the shortage in blood supplies could potentially affect lives.
According to Zydlo, one blood donation could save three lives when separating the blood cells, plasma, and platelets. He encourages everyone to head to a local blood drive to donate their blood. He also stated that individuals with rare blood types, such as O-, B-, AB+, and AB- do a PowerRed Donation that doubles the number of red blood cells donated.
If you are interested in holding a blood drive or want additional information about giving blood, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767).Additionally, many blood drives are being held in our local area this month. Below is a list of the blood drives in the area that are coming up.
Effingham County
Effingham: 7/14/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave. 7/19/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave. 7/21/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 7/24/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Elks Club, 2102 South Banker
Clay County
Louisville: 7/17/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Red Brush Christian Church, Route 45 South
Coles County
Charleston: 7/19/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, 910 West Polk
Mattoon: 7/17/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Community Church, 200 LaFayette East. 7/18/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Blvd
Fayette County
Vandalia: 7/18/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 South 3rd Street
Jasper County
Wheeler: 7/23/2017: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 13204 North 2300th Street
Marion County
Centralia: 7/20/2017: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Centralia American Legion Hall, 117 South Poplar 7/23/2017: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., St Marys School, 424 East Broadway
Salem: 7/16/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, 812 West Main
Richland County
Noble: 7/17/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Noble Lions Club Building, 112 West South Avenue
Listen to the full interview with Joe Zydlo below.