ALBANY, N.Y. — Memorial Day is around the corner, marking the unofficial start of summer and outdoor fun. The American Red Cross wants everyone to have a safe summer and
Every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion, according to the American Red Cross.
Actor James Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, was one of those people.
She experienced back-to-back miscarriages which required blood transfusions.
The couple has collaborated with the American Red Cross to urge blood, platelet or plasma donations. James and Kimberly Van Der Beek are national spokespeople for the organization.
“Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” James Van Der Beek said in a statement. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”
Blood donation opportunity this week
There will be an American Red Cross blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 706 Third Ave. in St. James. Extra sanitization will be in place. Please wear a face covering and practice good physical distancing. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit redcrossblood.org or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure that hospitals can meet patient needs. Everyone who is healthy is encouraged to donate to meet the demands amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Virginia Beach Hotel Association was able to get more blood donors in the competition. Author: Angelo Vargas Updated: 6:42 PM EST March 11, 2021
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. The COVID-19 pandemic and the winter storms this year have greatly impacted blood drives across the country. The Virginia Beach Restaurant and Hotel Associations both wanted to give back. They set up a competition to see who can get the most donors.
The friendly blood drive competition between the two associations aimed to attract more people to donate.
“I’m with Team Hotel, said American Red Cross Donor Rachel Cook.
This is not Cook’s first donation and it will not be her last. It’s her way of giving back to the community.
Open a vein: Pandemic and winter storm have left blood banks empty
Low blood supply is a crisis without a backup plan
President and CEO of Carter BloodCare, Dr. Merlyn Sayers, is pictured before an empty cooler at their headquarters in Bedford, Texas, Wednesday March 18, 2020. The Center is putting out the word that they have a shortage of blood. Something like 600 people a day in our community need a transfusion. They can t wait til coronavirus has blown over. , he said. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
The shelves are bare at Carter Blood Center. It’s time for us all to donate.