Troy to help protect Red Cross blood supply
By Devese “Dee” Ursery
Donors are needed to help protect the blood supply of the American Red Cross and they are using World Blood Day to rally that cry.
Municipalities throughout Madison County and St. Louis regions have opened centers to help boost supplies.
The American Red Blood drive is declaring that blood and platelet donors are desperately needed at the moment to sure-up precipitous drop in donations over the past several weeks. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.
The Village of Troy will be offering residents a chance to donate from noon to 5 p.m. June 25, at Tri Township Park, 410 Wickliffe.
Record-breaking summer travel and severe weather conditions are expected to persist all season long, which may prevent donors from being able to give, per the release. When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients
June 14 was World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply, and to recognize volunteer blood donors.
The remaining Madison County municipalities that are still doing blood drives are Alton from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 20, at Alton Memorial Hospital located at One Memorial Drive. Edwardsville will have a blood drive from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., at the Edwardsville Public Safety Building, located at 333 S Main Street on Monday, June 24 and from 12:30 – 6:30 p.m., at Moose Lodge 1561, 7371 Marine Rd. on Thursday, June 27.
Granite City will hold three blood drives on Friday, June 28, from 11 a.m to 5:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2300 Pontoon Rd, 1-5 p.m. at Royal Banks of Granite City, 3600 Nameoki Rd. and Columbus Home, 4225 Old Alton Rd. There will also be an opportunity for residents in Wood River to donate blood on Tuesday, June 25, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., at the Wood River VFW 2859, located on 231 East Edwardsville Road.
In order for someone to donate blood they must present a blood donor card, a driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states or 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law and weigh at least 110 pounds. They also must be in generally good health to be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
