An American Red Cross blood drive will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 2-7 p.m. in memory of Jeff Blount at Prospect United Methodist Church in Covington, where he was an active member.
Blount was a teacher at Rockdale and Salem high schools and coached football, baseball and basketball for more than 17 years. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in April 2008 and received platelets during treatment. Blount passed away five months after being diagnosed with cancer. Many cancer patients need blood and blood products as a result of treatments or to help treat the cancer itself.
“Jeff was full of life and everyone loved and respected him,” said Tina Blount, Jeff’s wife. “He is greatly missed and I hope we have a great turn out to remember such a great man.”
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O, AB, B negative and A negative, are urged to make an appointment to donate. Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives held across the country compared to the two previous months, which has resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Those 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
