Our View: Blood shortage can be helped with rolled-up sleeves
It’s a challenging time to need blood or to collect blood.
The American Red Cross announced on Tuesday that it is facing its “worst blood shortage in more than a decade.” The organization has, in recent weeks, had less than a one-day supply of certain types on hand, leading to unmet blood needs at some hospitals.
The culprits are typical. Blood donations often dry up at the holidays, when college students, who are among the best donors, are away from campus. Many students are going back for the spring semester this Tuesday.
Winter weather in many parts of the country also is hampering turnouts. Similarly, the ongoing COVID pandemic has led to some blood drives being canceled for staffing issues. It is not difficult to imagine many good donors being sidelined by their own health issues, quarantining either because of testing positive or being around somebody else who has.
A visit to the Red Cross website shows several drives in coming weeks in the 44601 ZIP code. These include Altman Alliance Community Hospital, from 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 3. Another is scheduled at First Christian Church, 1141 W. Beech St., from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16.
Other dates and times are available by visiting redcrossblood.org and typing in a ZIP code.
Blood donors, in general, can give once every 56 days. They should be in general good health and not sick at the time of donation. Donors should be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Reasons that donors are turned away include cold, flu or other illnesses, low iron, and travel outside the U.S. in the last three years to a country considered a malaria risk.
Alliance-area residents are among the state’s most generous in so many ways, and giving blood is literally a gift of life. We urge those who can to pick a convenient time and help shore up the inventory of this most precious liquid.
Izzy is primed for arrival
Northeast Ohio, say hello to Izzy.
A winter storm by that name is forecast to bring a significant amount of snow to the Alliance area on Sunday and Monday.
The good news is that Monday is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and organizers of the local parade to celebrate the famed civil rights leader wisely hold that event in the summer. The holiday also means Izzy won’t disrupt area schools, which are already off for the day.
But with the threat of snow comes the prospect of tricky driving. Motorists are reminded to take it slow, watch for other, less experienced drivers, and leave extra room between stopped cars at intersections.
It’s also a good time to check the antifreeze and windshield wipers in the car, make sure it has a full tank of gas and a sturdy scraper for the windshield, and put a blanket or two in the backseat, just in case.
That we are still waiting for the first significant snow of the winter this far into January is encouraging. Each day without the white stuff is one day closer to spring and warmer weather.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Our View: Blood shortage can be helped with rolled-up sleeves
