Red Cross calls for more blood donations
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 9, 2005 2:02 PM
What was already a dwindling blood supply due to summer vacations has now become a desperate situation due to Hurricane Katrina.
The Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross has put out a plea to residents to come out to this month's Bloodmobiles to donate blood.
Chuck Waller, director, said the blood supply has been at a critical level for most types throughout the summer. This is because people are on vacation and don't have the time to give. But this is the time when there are more accidents due to vacations and more blood is needed.
Hurricane Katrina added to that need. "Because the area was so devastated, they can't collect blood. The blood need hasn't gone away because hospital patients throughout the Gulf Coast area still need blood," Waller said. In fact, it has probably increased due to injuries from the hurricane.
"This means other areas have to supply the blood to meet those needs now," said Waller.
"So an already fragile blood supply has become even more fragile."
Waller is encouraging Wayne County's blood donors to continue to give blood and those who don't give to start now.
Upcoming blood drives include:
*Tuesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal church and from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Red Cross chapter house, 600 N. George St. by appointment by calling 735-7201.
*Sept. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the chapter house sponsored by the Blue Knights.
*Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spring Creek High School.
*Sept. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
*Sept. 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Goldsboro High School.
Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Social Security office.
"People tend to think about the economic impact of a disaster," said Waller. "But the blood supplies have been compromised, too, and this is something that's lost in the shuffle."