NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The American Red Cross is holding another Hutchinson Community Blood Drive starting Monday.
"This time of the year is traditionally a little bit harder, again, with the nation's blood supply," said Tiffany Davison with the Red Cross. "We start to have illness. We have winter weather. With the upcoming holidays, people are busy and have lots of things extra in their schedules. We often have lower appointment numbers and decreased donor turnout."
The drive is Monday from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 201 East Sherman.
"In 2022, in the January to August drives, right where we are today, we collected in 2022, 1,193 units," Davison said. "From that same time here in 2023, we have collected 942 units at the Hutchinson Community Blood Drive. We are down, at that blood drive, 251 units, which is pretty significant, really."
When you consider that a single blood donation can save up to three lives, that's potentially over 750 people who did not receive life-saving blood donations from Hutchinson in 2023, that would have done so in 2022.
"We're really encouraging people, if you haven't donated, we would love to have you back," Davison said. "If you've never donated before, give it a shot. We're really hoping that we can build back up in 2024."
When you come in to the Hutchinson Community Blood Drive, the Red Cross will give thanks with a pair of officially licensed Elf and American Red Cross socks, while they last.
To set a donation appointment, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
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