MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The American Red Cross wants to encourage residents to take part in an opportunity to save someone’s life.
Blood drives will be hosted on Monday and on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, in the Morgantown area that will be hosted by the Allegheny Highland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Executive Director Jason Keeling encourages residents who want to take part in something that will directly benefit the community to join them as they host their Gift of Life Blood Drive on Monday before they host drives at Morgantown area stores.
“On Monday, at the CMA Church of Morgantown, we are having our branded Gift of Life Blood Drive,” said Keeling. “Also, I want to encourage listeners to realize that there are blood drives happening throughout the area.”
The Gift of Life Blood Drive will take place on Monday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the CMA Church of Morgantown, with two blood drives taking place on Christmas Eve. The first will be hosted at the Triple S Harley Davidson near the University Town Center from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., with the second hosted at the Spruce Street United Methodist Church Seekers Hall from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. According to Keeling, anyone who wishes to participate will be able to go through a simple and quick sign-up process so that they can donate in less than 30 minutes.
“During this season of giving, I’m sure that many might be interested in how they might be able to do something extra for their community, and giving blood is a great way to do so,” said Keeling.
All donations during the three blood drives will be directly used for residents currently in Morgantown area hospitals. According to Keeling, anyone who wishes to track where their blood will be used will be able to do so with the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, which will also track appointments and opportunities to donate blood in the future. With local hospitals always in need of a steady supply in the event of surgery or a major medical emergency, giving blood is considered a vital community service.
“One important thing to realize (is that) blood isn’t something we can just manufacture, it has to come from a person,” said Keeling. “So that’s why donors are so essential,” he said.
While there will be three opportunities within the next couple of days to donate blood, Keeling encourages Morgantown area residents to keep track of blood drives that will take place until the end of the year. That includes one that will take place on Friday, December 27, at the American Red Cross headquarters in Morgantown on Pineview Drive, as well as the Central United Methodist Church in Fairmont that will take place on New Year’s Eve. With blood drives taking place regularly, Keeling advises anyone who wishes to donate blood to check on the American Red Cross website as well.
“You just simply put in your zip code, and it will show all the current drives going on, and you can schedule according to your timeline,” Keeling said