FOR INFO on finding a local blood drive go online to: redcross.org/local/west-virginia.html
A week later, it’s time we looked at the flip side of the bloody slaughter in El Paso, Texas.
That is, the urgent tweets that were sent out by that city’s officials and police calling on local residents to donate blood for the victims.
Given the scope of this massacre — 22 dead and 24 wounded — and the kind of firearm used we suspect the need was incredible all at once.
According to USA Today, in the hours following the shooting at that day’s end more than 240 units were donated and though that flow slowed it continued for days.
It’s not known how much local hospitals in that Texas city had on hand before those donations but it’s safe to say it wasn’t adequate to meet the need.
However, according to a news release in mid-July from the American Red Cross we do know about how much blood reserves are banked in our area — less than a three-day supply of most blood types.
We also knew then that the Red Cross was facing an emergency need, so we cannot even begin to imagine what that need would be if a mass shooting on the scale of El Paso would happen in our area.
Of course, a natural disaster or a mining disaster are always a possibility in our region, too, that might result in scores of serious injuries.
Knowing our community as we do, if such intense violence or a serious disaster should ever befall us there will be no shortage of blood donors.
Yet, it only makes sense that those potential donors should take the initiative and ensure local hospitals have a more extensive reserve on hand.
But just as that recent news release from the Red Cross noted, blood donations invariably ebb during the summer.
Yes, summer appears to be making its last stand as thousand of young people will soon be moving into our community and returning to school. Though WVU’s students should be encouraged to make blood donations so should permanent residents here.
There are at least six blood drives scheduled through August by the Red Cross in our area and others in September.
Lifesaving medical care and the need for blood transfusions for patients does not take a vacation or a break in summer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Your donation may not be required to save a mass shooting victim, but helping a sick person who needs surgery is just as important.
And we are certain, just as appreciated by whoever receives your donation.
