{"id":75976,"date":"2016-05-03T07:22:06","date_gmt":"2016-05-03T12:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=75976"},"modified":"2016-05-03T07:22:28","modified_gmt":"2016-05-03T12:22:28","slug":"red-cross-seeks-local-blood-donations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2016\/05\/03\/red-cross-seeks-local-blood-donations\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Cross seeks local blood donations"},"content":{"rendered":"

VW independent\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

\"American<\/a>\u201cThrough the surgeries, I received 13 units of blood,\u201d he said. Weidner now gives blood as often as he can.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross app (www.redcrossblood.org\/bloodapp<\/a>), visiting the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org<\/a>, or calling 800.733.2767. Donors can then also visit www.redcross.org\/cedarfair<\/a> to enter for a chance to win one of two grand prize packages for four to Knott\u2019s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.<\/p>\n

Area blood drives coming up include the following:<\/p>\n

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Van Wert County<\/strong><\/p>\n