Blood Drive Set For July 5

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held on Wednesday, July 5, from 8:30 am to 7 pm at Edmond Town Hall to help abate the critical shortage of blood.

The Connecticut Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services has issued an urgent appeal for blood donors, partly those who have type O-positive, O-negative, A-negative and B-negative blood. More donors are needed to reach a three-day supply of each blood type for distribution to 33 Connecticut hospitals. Once a three-day inventory is achieved, the Connecticut Region will be able to once again distribute blood and blood products to fill all hospital orders.

Accident victims, cancer patients, and burn patients are just some of the persons who frequently need blood. But during the summer months, blood donations decrease by an average of 14 percent. Supplies also dropped significantly during the recent five-week strike of blood drive workers.

Those who donate between Friday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 5, are to be called “Holiday Heroes.” Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs 110 pounds or more, and is in generally good health is invited to give blood and become a holiday hero.

To make an appointment to give blood, call 800/GIVE-LIFE or visit www.bloodct.org to find a blood drive and make a lifesaving donation.