Numerous blood drives are taking place in Lyon County this month.
Red Cross spokesperson Jan Hale says the agency is urging healthy, eligible residents to give blood, especially as concerns increase about the coronavirus across Kansas and the country. She says there is no evidence coronavirus can be transmitted by transfusion.
The Red Cross has been dealing with urgent to critical blood supplies for years. It has seen a typical dip in supplies due to cold and flu season, and it has seen an abnormal dip with 125 blood drives canceled across the country for various reasons. The Red Cross is hoping to see an increase from healthy donors now to reverse the decline in donations.
All blood types are needed, especially O-positive and O-negative.
To donate, go online to www.redcrossblood.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app or enable the Blood Donor skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Upcoming blood drives
Lyon County
*March 16: Northern Heights High School, 9 am-3 pm
*March 18: Hartford High School, 10:30 am-4:30 pm
*March 18: Olpe High School, 9 am-3 pm
*March 19: Emporia High School, 7:30 am-2 pm
*March 21: Farm Bureau, 10 am-4 pm
*March 27: Riverside Elementary, 12-6 pm
*March 30: North Lyon County Junior High, 10 am-4 pm
Coffey County
March 10: Lebo Community Building, 10 am-3 pm
