(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood now to help curb a drop in donor turnout this fall.

Donors of all blood types are asked to book a time to donate at a Red Cross blood donation center or community blood drive to help give hospitals the tools they need to care for patients ahead of the holidays.

To say thank you, all who come to give between Oct. 27 and Nov. 16 will get $20 in e-gift cards to a choice of merchant, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes. See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest.

Schedule a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Understanding our own health is the foundation for helping prevent chronic illness and saving lives. Blood and platelet donations can be a part of that journey. To help empower and educate blood donors, in November, successful donations will get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.

To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience. 

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact Julie Ullom at 304-943-9252 or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with local fire departments and community partners, has saved 2,489 lives nationally including over 150 in the local region by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms. There have been over 63,000 free smoke alarms installed in nearly 25,000 homes throughout the region.

* APPOINTMENTS: Targeted installation events scheduled for this fall, but these efforts continue across our local communities throughout the year. Please call 1-844-216-8286 or visit bit.ly/FreeSmokeAlarms for a free smoke alarm installation.

* CANVASSING: On Saturday, November 1st in Washington and Monroe Counties, the Red Cross and our volunteers with local volunteer fire departments and Marietta College students will visit neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms for people in need.

* VOLUNTEER: Join us for a rewarding day at a Sound the Alarm event on Saturday November 1 in Washington and Monroe counties! Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/CentralAppalachia or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register. No prior experience is needed – training will be provided.

* DONATE: Thanks to donations, our services are free and available for all those in need. Help families prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires by giving at SoundTheAlarm.org or texting the word HOMEFIRE to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Special thanks to our generous financial donors Belpre Area Community Development Fund and Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.