By Karen Larsen

If you think you are all done with your holiday gift preparation, there is someone else the Red Cross would like you to think of: the accident victim or chronically ill patient who needs blood during the holiday season.

A blood drive is scheduled in Waterville for Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NCW Fairgrounds Community Hall.

“The need at this time (of year) is always critical,” said Jay Ann Merkle of the regional Red Cross office in Yakima.

With that in mind The Red Cross is holding a blood drive campaign this holiday season with the slogan “The Perfect Gift.”

Merkle said that giving blood is something people can do in 45

minutes to one hour. Though simple for the donor, it can make a life-saving difference to those in need.

She said that a unit of blood lasts just 42 days, and during the holiday season accidents are usually up, while the number of donors is down due to the bustle of the season.

The Red Cross is always especially seeking O-negative donors because this blood is what needs to be used first in an emergency until the patient’s blood can be properly tested.

The goal for this blood drive is to collect 35 units of blood.

With only 19 units collected at the last drive in Waterville, this is going to take a special show of participation.

Blood collected in drives in this area is used by 26 local hospitals,

from Okanogan south into parts of Oregon.

Merkle said that the Red Cross will have a trained crew in Waterville on the day of the drive to screen patients and take blood.

The blood donation itself only takes ten minutes, and refreshments will be available afterwards.

Merkle said that volunteers 16 years and older may donate blood. Those 16 and 17 years of age need parental permission.

Donors must be healthy on the day of the drive.

The Red Cross accepts drop-in donors, but they prefer people to make appointments, either on-line at nwblood.redcross.org, or by phone at (800) RED-CROSS (800-733-2767.)