Blood donors needed, honored in January

On Wednesday, Bureau County Red Cross Executive Director Lori Compton said the winter season can be a difficult time for blood donations due to the possible cold and inclement weather. Also, some donors are “snowbirds”, or people who head south to warmer climates in the winter, which takes away from the local donor numbers. However, snowbirds can donate blood from their winter locations if they live there at least 56 days, which is the required time between blood donations, she said.

Countywide, the Bureau County Red Cross averages six or seven blood drives a month, with the next blood drive set for 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at the First United Methodist Church, 316 S. Church St. in Princeton.

Compton said Bureau County residents have been generous in their blood donations. The county has been good at meeting its goals, she said.

“We have very good donors who take it seriously,” Compton said.

In recognition of blood donors across the county, the American Red Cross has proclaimed January as National Blood Donor Month. An estimated 44,000 pints of blood are needed each day in hospitals throughout the country to help treat trauma victims, surgery patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, cancer patients and handle other needs. About 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply is provided through the Red Cross. Nationwide, there are about 4 million Red Cross blood donors.

Ben Corey, spokesperson for the American Red Cross, said only about 38 percent of the U.S. population are eligible to donate blood. But of that number, only about 8 percent actually do so, he said.

Concerning donor eligibility, Compton said area high schools have been very good about having blood drives, with 17-year-olds allowed to donate blood with parental signatures. There is a weight limit, of at least 110 pounds, and the person must be healthy on the day of blood drive. Bureau County young people have really stepped up to the plate to help the Red Cross, she said.