GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – As the calendar turned to August, the Community Blood Center has seen its blood supply get lower and lower, prompting officials to ask residents in the Fox Valley, across Wisconsin, and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to come and donate.
And to some who donated Tuesday afternoon, it was a no-brainer.
Little Tikes shoots commercial at Jefferson Park in Menasha
“I try to do as much as I can, and it is important. It is one thing that I know that is simple, that I can do, that does not take up much time,” said Appleton resident Karen Reider.
“There is always someone in need, and I think that it is important to do something that maybe you don’t necessarily have to get paid to do sometimes. So it is just a volunteer thing that I think you should do,” said Darboy resident Jeff Christensen.
Recent accidents in the Fox Valley have increased the need for blood. The summer season is typically when the most blood donations are needed, but it has been difficult to keep up with the daily incidents.
“We are in a code red right now, a critical need right now for all types of blood — more specifically, type O, which is a universal donor,” said Tricia Voskuail, vice president of sales and marketing for the Community Blood Center. “We have experienced a lot of trauma over the weekend — a couple of multiple car crashes in our local area — which have depleted our inventory.”
Today provides a constant reminder that blood donations are necessary all year round, not just during one season.
Two men with warrants arrested in Oshkosh, police credit public’s help
Voskuail said, “We need blood all year round — for no matter what — whether it is a routine surgery, cancer patients, traumatic events that happen, we do need blood all year round, and like I said, summer is really difficult.”
The center is taking applications online and over the phone, and is also allowing walk-ins for those who wish to donate.
