01/05/11 Time flies. And the start of a New Year reminds us there’s no time better than now to start a tradition or renew old acquaintances.

In the case of blood donation, that one little act of rolling up your sleeve through your American Red Cross can make a big difference to someone in need. About one in 10 people entering the hospital needs blood. And that need for blood is constant, every minute of every day.

“While the need for blood is always there, blood donors sometimes aren’t,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Everyday life can get in the way of making and keeping appointments, and before you know it, a donor might find it’s been a while since they last came to donate.”

The Red Cross is asking blood donors to leverage the power of the New Year and make a resolution to make and keep appointments to donate blood.

First-time donors are also encouraged to make appointments, too, and to donate with a friend, family member or co-worker who may or may not have given blood before. Red Cross officials say more than 30 percent of people who give through the Red Cross are donating for the first time, with many resolving to come back again to join a lifesaving cause.

“Blood donors help provide the gift of life for patients undergoing surgeries, battling with cancer, or fighting to survive a life-threatening accident,” said Whitman. “You can be there to help by simply resolving to give blood once, twice or up to six times a year.”

Come to donate from now until January 31 and be entered into a region-wide drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card.

THE UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE IN OUR AREA IS

  • Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Culver High School in the Middle School Gymnasium, located at 701 School St. in Culver.

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.