BLUEFIELD, WV. (WVVA)- WVVA has teamed up with the American Red Cross to host a special, urgent blood drive on Monday and Tuesday from 12 PM to 6 PM.
This blood drive is much needed, said Troy Stiffler, a Red Cross donor recruiter. According to Stiffler, because of the recent storms that pummeled the area about ten blood drives were canceled. The Red Cross Association needs to replenish its supply not only to make up for what was lost, but also to help those who need blood now.
"It's difficult to catch up," Stiffler said. "Over the past few weeks with all the major storms we have had, we have lost over 500 units of blood. It is about two days supply."
Stiffler says blood donation goes down in the summer, and this storm only made matters worse.
"When a disaster like that happens, and that was a major disaster. I was without power for ten days," he said. "People just weren't thinking about donating blood."
Donors say the actual blood extraction doesn't take a long time, and people who are new to donating shouldn't be afraid of the process.
Blood donor Kayla Lafferty offers some advice for those who fear the pain typically associated with a needle prick: "Think about all the good things that are going to come from what you are doing. Because even though it is a little bit scary, it is not going to last that long and you are going to do so much better for someone else."
And if the thrill of saving lives isn't enough to get you out to the Mercer Mall to donate, anyone who participates is in the running for a brand new car from Ramey Automotive.
For more information on blood donation, please visit www.redcrossblood.org and keep watching WVVA News.
