January is Blood Donor Month

SIKESTON -- To ensure a stable blood supply for patients in need, the American Red Cross asks those who are eligible to give blood in the coming weeks.

"We do have several blood drives scheduled throughout the area in the month of January, and we've done that for a reason," said Dan Fox, media representative for the Red Cross. "Typically, we see donations decline in the winter months, and we want to give blood donors as many opportunities as possible to give the gift of life to make sure the supply remains stable."

January is National Blood Donor Month, Fox said.

Locally, several blood drives are taking place over the next couple weeks. A blood drive is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter; from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 9 at Missouri Department of Transportation in Sikeston; and from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at American Legion Post 59 in Dexter. There will be a blood drive from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Guardian Angel Parish in Oran.

Also during January -- and even February, Fox said, inclement weather can keep donors indoors and cancel blood drives.

"As a result of inclement earlier this month, we had to cancel several blood drives so we missed out on those donations we were expecting to get," Fox said. "Of course, seeing more inclement weather is not out of the question."

In addition, the cold and flu season is certainly a concern and another factor that can contribute to lower blood supplies, Fox said.

"When people aren't feeling 100 percent -- even if it's something that doesn't require a visit to the doctor -- we encourage them to stay away from donating blood until they are feeling better.

The Red Cross needs to collect about 800 blood products every day to keep up with the demand of the regional hospitals, Fox said.

"Every two seconds someone needs blood," Fox said.

All blood types are needed, especially O-negative, which is considered the universal blood type because it can be given to any patient regardless of their blood type.

"A lot of times during an emergency when a hospital doesn't have time to determine a patient's blood type, they will give O-negative," Fox said.

In Missouri, donors must be 17 (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.

For the complete story, see an upcoming edition of the Standard Democrat.