Spring officially begins today, and it’s a good time to donate blood. Brian Gomez, spokesman for the Badger Hawkeye Region of the American Red Cross, says blood supplies remain adequate, because people have been stepping up to donate despite the cold weather.
“Folks have really been stepping up. We’ve seen that our inventory levels are currently still sufficient, and that’s a result of people getting outside despite the bad weather, rolling up their sleeves and doing what they can to help others in need,” Gomez said.
But more donors are always needed. “Hospitals have a continuous need for blood,” Gomez said. Whether you’re a long-time donor or a first-timer, finding a blood drive is easy on the Red Cross website. “If you enter in your zip code, you can find a drive within the next month or so,” he said. “In Dane County, Milwaukee or Green Bay, you can literally find drives almost every single day.”
The blood donation process takes about an hour and fifteen minutes from start to finish.
