Need for blood is critical

Summertime means different things to everyone. We think of graduations, weddings, family reunions, vacation, cookouts, hiking, camping, and swimming. Unfortunately, summer is also a time when the need for blood increases. People have elective surgery, there are car accidents and other injuries that require blood. The Vermont New Hampshire Chapter of the American Red Cross has released a critical need alert. This means that the supply of blood is dangerously low.

There are several opportunities to donate blood in the next few weeks. There will be a blood drive at the Berlin Mall on Saturday, July 7 from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Barre Blood Drive is Monday, July 9 from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Barre Lodge of Elks behind the Aldrich Library. There will also be a drive at Northfield High School on Wednesday, July 11 from 12-5:30 p.m. All presenting donors will receive a $50 gift Certificate from Buck’s Furniture in Wolcott with no minimum purchase and a $5 coupon from Freihoffer’s.

The Vermont Legislature passed a law allowing 16 year olds to donate with parental consent. All blood donors should bring a picture ID with them. To lessen your wait at the drive, call 1-800-Red Cross or visit online @redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Let’s break all kinds of records this July.

Judy A. Cookson

Barre Town

Red Cross volunteer