By RYAN SKAITH
St. Joseph Post
With Hurricanes Helene and Milton recently devastating the southeast region of the United States, blood donations are needed to help survivors.
Director of Public Relations for The Community Blood Center, Chelsea Smith, says local residents can help. "Each and everyday in our area, we need to collect about 600 donations. When you account for deferrals and things like that, we need to see anywhere from 600 to 650 people coming in our doors."
Smith says the nationwide need for blood donations is impacting local areas but communities such as St. Joseph, Kansas City and Topeka can assist. "As communities in the southeast focus on recovery, areas like ours that aren't directly impacted by the hurricanes are issuing an urgent need for blood donations so we can meet our demand locally, but also rise to the occasion and send blood to the southeast if we're called upon to do so."
Smith notes The Community Blood Center has already sent about a hundred units of blood the southeast region.
Smith says blood donations will be vital in the days, weeks, and months to come.
The Community Blood Center says blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. To make an appointment to donate blood, visit savealifenow.org.