WKVI Sponsoring Red Cross Blood Drive Today

The American Red Cross is still in need of blood and platelet donations, as blood products are being distributed to area hospitals almost as quickly as donations are coming in. The Red Cross issued an emergency call for blood donations on July 9 after seeing about 50,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than expected in June. Donations have increased by about 15 percent since the emergency call for donors was issued, but the middle and end of July mark only the halfway point to the challenging summer months.

To help do our part, WKVI is sponsoring a blood drive at the Knox Community Center today from noon to 6 p.m. in the large room at 55 East Lake St. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org, sponsor code “knoxcctr,” to schedule your blood donation appointment.

Karen Kelley, communications director for the Indiana-Ohio Red Cross Blood Services Region, said they are grateful to the donors who have taken time out of their day to bleed for a worthy cause, but their work is not over. The need for blood is constant, and as July comes to an end and August begins, they are asking eligible donors to give blood or platelets as soon as possible.

Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give double red cells where available. Type O negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative blood can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.