SILVER SPRING, Md. -
It is something that a lot of us keep meaning to do, but the time gets away from us. Right now, the American Red Cross is asking for your help. They want you to make donating blood a priority.
When you see a sign for a blood drive, you should really think about it because it could really save a life.
Last week, the American Red Cross issued a nationwide emergency appeal. The blood supply was running low and the Fourth of July holiday would not help.
They had gotten attention of people. But then the storms came this weekend and many of the blood drives and two donor center experienced power outages.
Plus, people without power at home didn't make it in to donate even at sites that were open.
That is why the American Red Cross needs people like Leta Hall right now.
"I was walking to work. I walked past the sign and I heard on the news a couple of times that they were having a blood shortage, so I made the time," says Hall.
She has donated for years on a somewhat regular basis.
"I get telephone calls. The Red Cross pursues me like no man ever has," Hall jokes.
She laughs, but donors understand how serious and important blood donation is.
"About 26 years ago, right after I delivered my youngest daughter, I needed four units [of blood] myself and some emergency surgery," says Sheri Brown, who was making a blood donation Tuesday. "I might not have been around to raise that daughter or see my grandkids [without that blood].
If you'd like to make a donation, go to http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation
