Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – The Rotary Club of Dexter is hosting a Blood Drive on Monday, August 18^th from noon – 5:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church.  Members of the Rotary Club volunteer their time quarterly to set-up and offer assistance to the American Red Cross and ask local Stoddard County residents to donate blood.   

If you received a call from the American Red Cross and scheduled an appointment, please come on Monday.  You can save 3 lives by donating blood.

The American Red Cross continues to have an urgent need for blood and platelet donations.  Though thousands of people have answered the urgent call to donate that was issued on July 22, 2014.

Through the end of July, the Red Cross saw an increase of approximately 7.5% in the number of donors coming to give blood, resulting in more that 11,800 additional donations beyond what was expected.

The Red Cross is grateful for those who stepped up to give this lifesaving gift and reminds eligible donors that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.

Right now blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations are coming in.  Like the emergency room of a hospital, the Red Cross needs to be prepared to respond to patient emergencies 24/7/365.  After the donation, it takes approximately three days for the blood to be tested, processed and available for distribution to hospitals.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visitredcrossblood.orgto make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may 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.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visitredcross.orgor visit us on Twitter at@RedCross.