Flu’s impact

Red Cross looking for more blood donors

Even in the best of times, it is often difficult for the American Red Cross to keep adequate blood supplies on hand. The challenge is even harder today because of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus outbreak.

Marianne Spampinato, regional communications manager for the Great Alleghenies Blood Services Region — which includes Allegany and Garrett counties — said the illnesses are causing a negative impact across the region.

“We have had some blood drives, particularly at schools, be affected. In some, there have been goal reductions at the schools. At others, we have had cancellations (due to sickness),” she said.

Rachel Dillon, blood services director of the Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross in Cumberland, said officials always caution donors to assess their health before coming in to donate blood.

“If you are feeling sick the day of the (blood) drive, don’t come in,” Dillon said. “You’re probably going to be turned away” and asked to come back when feeling healthy.

Since August, many blood drives have been off the mark. There were 22 collections in the Western Potomac Chapter service area that month, and only seven met their goals.

Both officials said the need for donated blood is ever-present. Right now, there is a sense of urgency to collect O-negative blood. The Great Alleghenies Blood Services Region has just a one-day supply. The goal is to have a five-day reserve, Spampinato said.

The Cumberland chapter of the Red Cross has a standing blood drive every Monday at its office, located at 400 Cumberland St. The next local blood drive is scheduled to run from noon to 6 p.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn. Donors can give blood once every 56 days if they meet all other eligibility issues. For more information, log on to www.givelife.org or call (800) 448-3543.