RED CROSS SAYS BLOOD SUPPLY NO LONGER SHORT

Good turnout at recent blood drives has brought the local blood supply out of critically low levels, said a spokesman for the Cape Girardeau County chapter of the American Red Cross.

"During the last week or two, collections have increased and we've gotten out of the critical stage," said David Palmer. "But we still need people to come out for the rest of the summer. All it takes is one bad week and we'll be back in the same shape we were in a week ago."

The local blood supply reached an alarmingly low level just over a week ago, Palmer said.

"We were to the point where hospitals were not being supplied at adequate levels and several surgeries had to be delayed," he said.

"The inventory levels were critically low. If there had been a major disaster or accident, there was no guarantee that the blood would have been there."

Because of recent successful drives, the supply is out of the critical stage, Palmer said. The Red Cross is hoping that a Wednesday drive in Cape Girardeau will be successful enough to bring the blood supply back to adequate levels.

The second annual "Keep Cape Alive" blood drive will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center.

Palmer said 250 people gave blood at last year's "Keep Cape Alive" drive. The drive is sponsored by radio stations K103, KGMO, KTXI and Frito Lay, Pepsi and the American Legion Auxiliary. Giveaway items are being supplied by the sponsors.

"We're really gearing up for the drive on Wednesday," he said. "Our goal is to have more than 250 donors."

Palmer said after the blood supply surpassed critically low levels, the organization was able to provide hospitals with the minimum level of most blood types.

He said recent drives at both Cape Girardeau hospitals and at Boatmen's Bank in Cape Girardeau were successful and met or surpasses their goals.

"We appreciate that everyone has come out and supported us," he said. "Summertime is always the hard time of the year because of summer activities, the heat and vacations, combined with a higher number of accidents."

Palmer hopes Wednesday's drive will mark a turnaround in the blood supply level.

"Hopefully Wednesday's drive will be a big boost to the supply and we'll be able to hold our own until the end of August when school starts. August is usually not nearly as hard a month as June or July."

Palmer said a person can give blood every 56 days. "We hope everyone continues to come out and support us."

Another drive is scheduled for Thursday at the Concordia Trinity Lutheran School in Frohna from 2-7 p.m.