Event will be Feb. 11 at OUS

It may be cold outside, but giving the gift of life is sure to warm your heart and the heart of someone in need.

On Feb. 11, Ohio University Southern’s Ironton campus will have a blood drive to help re-stock a diminishing blood supply in the region.

According to Cheryl Gergely, program manager of communications for the Greater Alleghenies Region of American Red Cross, there has been a loss of about 18,000 blood and platelet donations across the country due to bad weather this winter.

“In our collection area, we’ve had a loss of about 810 donations that we could not collect because of canceled blood drives, and a further low turnout at other blood drives,” she said.

Josh Noe, a student employee at OUS, has been working with student services director Robert Pleasant to coordinate the event.

“It is very important right now considering the bad weather our country’s been having,” he said. “They’re running low on donors and people haven’t been able to go out and donate.”

Noe said he encouraged people that are able to get out on Feb. 11 to come to the university’s blood drive and help the Red Cross get the blood supply levels back up.

According to the Red Cross, all blood types are needed, but there is a particular need for people with negative blood types, such as O-negative, A-negative and B-negative, to give blood.

The drive will be held in the Mains Rotunda on campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.

As usual with any American Red Cross blood donation, donors will need to provide demographic information and have their temperature and blood pressure taken. The iron levels will be tested to make sure it is safe for that person to donate. Donors will answer a series of questions on health and lifestyle issues to protect not only the donor, but also the patient who will receive the blood. After all this is completed, the actual blood donation begins and should take about ten minutes. When finished giving blood, some light refreshments will be served.

To make an appointment to donate blood at OUS on Feb. 11, call 533-4600. Walk-ins are also welcome.