The American Red Cross had a blood drive on Thursday, July 17, at the Inter-State Studioes in Sedalia. From the very beginning of the drive, there were people arriving and waiting to donate.  The traffic was steady, and that just shows how much Sedalia cares about helping their fellow man.  I got to donate blood myself, and hang out for a bit and do a live broadcast.  Here's a look at some of the photos.

It was great to see all the donors, and also amazing to give them the little rewards in the form of t-shirts from the St Louis Cardinals. Thank you to all who donated, and if you couldn't make it this time, please try to make it to the next blood drive in our area. It is very important. During the summer months, on average, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what is needed to meet the needs of patients. Vacations and summer activities are among the reasons regular donors may not find the time to give. But, patients don’t get a vacation from needing blood – the need is constant.

As a national network, the Red Cross has a unique responsibility to help ensure blood is available for patients whenever and wherever it is needed. By donating blood or platelets through the Red Cross, donors may be helping patients in their community or patients across the nation. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just five days, so they must constantly be replenished. To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Donatingly yours,
Behka

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