Red Cross seeks local blood donations

VW independent/submitted information

During Trauma Awareness Month in May, the American Red Cross urges the community to give blood and help ensure a sufficient supply for patient emergencies.

Dennis Weidner knows how critical blood products are in trauma situations. In 1996, part of his left leg was amputated following a farming accident.

“Through the surgeries, I received 13 units of blood,” he said. Weidner now gives blood as often as he can.

Donors of all blood types are needed this May. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. In Indiana-Ohio Region alone, the Red Cross needs about 550 donors each day to support patients at more than 80 area hospitals.

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross app (www.redcrossblood.org/bloodapp), visiting the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org, or calling 800.733.2767. Donors can then also visit www.redcross.org/cedarfair to enter for a chance to win one of two grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.

Area blood drives coming up include the following:

Van Wert County

• Monday, May 9, 1-5 p.m. – Lee Kinstle’s GM Sales & Service, 650 W. Ervin Road in Van Wert.
• Friday, May 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Wesley United Methodist Church, 551 Center St. in Van Wert.
• Friday, May 27, 1-6 p.m. – Van Wert Health Center, 140 Fox Road in Van Wert.
• Thursday, June 2, 12:30-6:30 p.m. – Elks Lodge 1197, 1197 Elks Drive (off Van Wert-Decatur Road) in Van Wert.

Paulding County

• Thursday, May 5, noon-5:30 p.m. – First Presbyterian Church, 114 W. Caroline St. in Paulding.