A handful of factors can cause a reduction in blood donation in the summer months, so those who are eligible and able must step up and ensure they donate at least once during the temperate months.

A photo with an article on Page 1 of the Eagle’s Sunday edition shows a smiling Patti Vogan relaxing in a portable chaise lounge as high tech Vitalant equipment does its job on Aug. 8 at a blood drive at St. Faustina Parish in Slippery Rock.

The article, by staff writer Eddie Trizzino, said the Red Cross saw a 25% decrease in blood donations since July 1.

The decrease forced the agency to reduce the amount of Type O blood it provides to hospitals for vital surgery and other lifesaving purposes.

Type O blood can be transfused into people of any blood type, which makes it a valuable commodity at the Red Cross.

The Red Cross said donors going on vacations, fewer blood drives, plus venues being too warm to safely protect the blood collected are a few of the reasons donations are down in the summer.

Also, blood collected from a donor has a finite shelf life, so blood cannot be stockpiled for future use, Red Cross officials said.

Vitalant reported an 18-month nationwide low in its blood supply on the week of July 4, which caused an emergency shortage across the U.S.

To combat shortages, Vitalant has turned to offering gift certificates to those willing to donate, the article said.

The Eagle is proud of selfless folks like Vogan, who literally roll up their sleeves to help out in a blood shortage.

We hope every Butler County resident who is eligible makes and appointment to donate blood, and businesses and organizations with air-conditioned facilities log onto redcross.org or vitalant.org to learn how to hold a blood drive.

The availability of blood is a critical element in saving lives at our area hospitals, and the Eagle hopes the caring people of the county will pick up the phone or sit down at the computer to schedule a time to give blood.

The next person who needs it may be you or a person you love.

— PG