by Carla Saavedra-Santiago

Calling all donors.

OU-COM's COMCorps and the Ping Center are teaming up again to help replenish Ohio’s dwindling blood supply by sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive, Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Ping Center from noon to 6 p.m.

“We really need new donors as well as those who habitually give to help shore up the blood supply in Ohio,” says Nancy Schell, director of the COMCorps program at Community Health Programs, the community outreach unit of OU-COM. Central Ohio began the year with six out of the eight blood types below minimum inventory and a less than one day supply of Type O negative.

Although the Red Cross has the least amount of Type O negative, these donors always come through, says Jeremy Fisher, COMCorps’ coordinator for the blood drive.

“Type O donors are pretty good about donating because they seem to be aware that they are universal donors,” Fisher says.

“Around the Athens area, since it’s a college town, there aren’t many drives going on during the holidays or the summer. That’s partly why we do one big drive in the fall and another one in the winter.”

Each donor will receive a free ticket to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. They may also register to win a $50 Wal-Mart gift certificate.

Donors should be in good health, be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo identification with birth date is required, and donors may only give blood every 56 days. To sign-up, donors may call (740) 593-2274. They also may e-mail donatebloodathens@yahoo.com. Walk-ins are always welcome, too, but appointments are preferred.

A new rule that some may not be aware of: people may still donate blood even if they have gotten a tattoo or piercing in the past year, because tattooing and piercing are now state regulated. People now do not have to wait a year until they can donate, Fisher says.

And Type O negative donors: make sure you come through!