Dexter, Missouri – The need is great this time of the year and especially now with many of the local blood drives being cancelled due to snow and ice. 

The Dexter Rotary Club felt the impact as well having to cancel their blood drive last week, but have rescheduled it for Monday, March 2^nd at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parish from NOON to 5:00 p.m.

According to Tara Lincoln at the American Red Cross they are down well over 200 units of blood because of all the recent bad weather.  Blood drives are typically down in the wintertime, but with several being cancelled it has taken a toll on units available to save lives.

Please come out and donate!!!  One pint can save as many as three lives!

No appointment is necessary, but you can pre-register at redcrossblood.org to save a little time waiting.

For anyone who comes and registers to give blood they will receive a FREE Pizza Hut pizza coupon!  The Rotary Club also provides sandwiches, cookies, juice and other goodies to those who participate.

This will be a great opportunity to give to an organization that helps our community in many ways.  The Red Cross not only handles 1/2 of the United States supply through these blood donations, but offers CPR classes, first aid classes and other health and safety programs, they provide food, shelter and emotional support to victims of disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and floods.

What do you need to donate blood?  It's very simple!

1.  A blood donor card and driver's license or two forms of identification, especially if you are a first time donor are required to check-in.

2.  Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in reasonably good health.

3.  Donating blood involves four basic steps:  Registration, Medical history and mini-physical, Donation and at the end a nice Refreshment.

Any information given to the Red Cross during the donation process is confidential.

The need for blood is constant and every pint counts.  Each day, patients in our county are helped by donors who have given blood. 

Here is just one example of how a blood drive recently helped a person.  Thirty units of red blood cells and five units of platelets were transfused to a car accident victim and saved their life.  Had generous donations not been made his/her family would be attending a funeral instead spending time with their loved one.  Thanks to the many dedicated Stoddard County residents who have given over the years, the blood products were available for these types of patients and other like them.

The Red Cross needs your help!  Donate today!  Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 for more information on how to volunteer or donate.  We hope to see you at the Rotary Club Blood Drive Thursday.