As the annual observance of American Red Cross Month continues through March, the push for blood donations also continues.
Stephenie Perry, Business Operations Coordinator for the Northwest Georgia chapter, has first-hand knowledge of the importance of blood donations. She was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkins Lymphoma back in 2015 at the age of 26. Blood tranfusions became vital to her health and well-being. Although she has been in remission over the past four years, she still needs transfusions of blood and platelets. She encourages everyone who is able to donate to the Red Cross.
Blood and platelet supplies are now at critically low levels, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, every donation counts. To those unable to donate, Perry recommends hosting a blood drive and encouraging all eligible donors to roll up their sleeves.
For information about upcoming blood drives and to register to donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
American Red Cross Month was first declared by Presidential Proclamation in 1943 and has been observed every March since then.