Editorial

Giving blood

The Red Cross has described the region's current supply of blood as "critically low." The long Fourth of July holiday weekend and the cancellation of blood drives on the East Coast due to flooding have contributed to the shortage, according to the Red Cross.

To restock, the organization is conducting 44 blood drives in Southeast Missouri through July 25.

The Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region currently has 30 percent of the blood supply used in a single day. The region extends from Columbia, Mo., to Southern Illinois. Some 1,200 pints of blood are used each day in the region.

All blood types are needed.

The next drives in the area:

* 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Leopold.

* 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge.

* 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Country Kettle Restaurant, Biehle.

* 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, United Methodist Church, Bernie.

* 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mary's Cathedral, Cape Girardeau.

During these drives, donors are receiving a free St. Louis Cardinals T-shirt.

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