OHIO VALLEY — “The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.”

This popular statement from the American Red Cross is simple and to the point, yet it is often overlooked. With the recent storms slowly becoming a thing of the past and in the true spirit of community, local rescue workers and volunteers have stepped up to take care of their neighbors and those in need. In the long run, this kind of work is somewhat temporary until the debris is clear and electricity is back on. But as the above statement says, the need for blood donation is constant.

According to the American Red Cross, blood donations were down 10 percent during the month of June, creating a deficit of 50,000 pints of blood. It was also reported that every two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. The scenario that tends to come to mind with this topic is an emergency situation where a victim needs blood, when in reality that is only one of the many times blood transfusions are needed. Others can include transplant recipients, children with blood disorders, and surgical candidates.

Residents in Mason County in W.Va., and Gallia and Meigs counties in Ohio, will have several opportunities to give blood and help make this shortage a things of past as well. In Mason County, Pleasant Valley Hospital’s Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, at the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Blood drives in Gallia County coming up will be from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, at Holzer Medical Center, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, at the New Life Lutheran Church, located at 900 Jackson Pike. An upcoming drive in Meigs County will be from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, at the Mulberry Community Center.

Donations of all blood types are always needed and those with the American Red Cross are especially urging those with Type O Negative, which is the universal blood type, to donate. Individuals that are 17 years old (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are have generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. It was also reported that high school students and other donors 18 years or younger may also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To schedule an appointment at the blood drives listed above, and to see a list of other upcoming blood drives and find out more about donating blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org.