Trending
September was National Preparedness Month. Local residents who have experienced an unusually wet and stormy summer are already experiencing a taste of what some regions must be prepared for constantly. And with those storms and floods came the reminder: Disasters can strike anyone, at any time.
When those disasters hit, organizations such as the American Red Cross step up in several ways. Often, they provide food, shelter and comfort to individual families; or relief to entire communities, with the help of their volunteers and donors.
They also help make sure our hospitals have the blood supply they need to meet the need -- for all patients.
For some folks, giving blood has become part of their routine. For others, it takes a little prodding, and this time around (through Oct. 18), the Red Cross is offering those who give a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.
Here are some upcoming blood drives in the Mahoning Valley during October:
SATURDAY
● 10 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown.
MONDAY
● Noon-6 p.m. -- Howland Community Church, 198 Niles-Cortland Road, Howland.
TUESDAY
● 11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Champion Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave. NW, Champion.
WEDNESDAY
● Noon-5:30 p.m. -- Cortland United Methodist Church, 155 N. High St., Cortland.
• Noon-5:30 p.m. -- Brookfield Fire Department, 774 Route 7, Brookfield.
TUESDAY, OCT. 13
● 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. -- Warren G. Harding High School Student Recreation & Wellness Center, 860 Elm Road NE, Warren.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17
● 9 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Cortland Masonic Lodge, 3263 Everett Hull Road, Cortland.
MONDAY, OCT. 19
● 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. -- Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave., Girard.
● 8 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Lordstown High School, 1824 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown.
● 11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- YSU McKay Auditorium, 250 Rayen Ave., Youngstown.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21
● Noon-6 p.m. -- St Patrick Catholic Church, 367 N. Main St., Hubbard.
THURSDAY, OCT. 22
• 1 p.m.-6 p.m. -- Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown.
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
● 10 a.m.-4 p.m. -- Howland Medical Center, 1932 Niles Cortland Road NE, Howland.
MONDAY, OCT. 26
● 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. -- St. Demetrios Community Center, 3223 Atlantic St. NE, Warren.
TUESDAY, OCT. 27
● 11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Niles Wellness Center, 213 Sharkey Drive, Niles.
"A strong blood supply is essential in response to every type of disaster, whether it be home fires or natural disaster," the Red Cross said in a news release. It's also essential in hospitals and emergency rooms, every day.
While you never know whose life you may be saving or who you may be helping when you donate blood or give your time or money to the Red Cross, there is no doubting, you ARE making a critical difference for somebody. Extra incentives are nice, but THAT should be all it takes.