BLOOD DRIVES SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY

The American Red Cross has named January "National Volunteer Blood Donor Month" to thank the thousands of blood donors.

Each year, more than 270,000 pints of blood are donated in the Missouri-Illinois region. About 10 percent of those pints are given by first-time donors.

January is typically a slow month for blood donations.

David Palmer of the American Red Cross said donations are down this time of year because it's cold and it's the flu season.

"You get into a situation where it's cold and people don't want to get out," he said.

About 60 blood drives are scheduled in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois for the month.

A blood drive is planned Monday from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, North High Street in Jackson.

Other upcoming drives are scheduled Wednesday at Southeast Missouri Hospital from 7 to 10 a.m. and again from noon to 5; Wednesday, Jan. 18 at St. Francis Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and also on Friday, Jan. 20 at the Southeast Missouri Hospital Outreach office in Jackson.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in generally good health, Palmer said.