A Red Cross spokesman says car crash victims and surgery patients will be more thankful at Thanksgiving if there’s blood to save their lives. Jack Sheehan, spokesman for a midwest regional Red Cross office, says the demand for blood increases during the holiday season and people who normally donate get too busy. Sheehan says “We need folks to take a pause from the shopping and from the parties and celebrations and eating and give an hour of their time to folks who really depend on you for their very life.” The Red Cross’ North Central Blood Services division collects and distributes blood in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota. Sheehan expects the blood supply to become alarmingly low in the next few weeks. Sheehan says “People get busy and when they get busy, they forget to donate blood. The problem is that the need for blood continues every single day. We need to collect 1,000 pints of blood every weekday just to meet demand.” To find a blood drive near you, surf to “www.yourbloodcenter.org” or call 800 GIVE-LIFE.
