T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Michael Schuler, outreach coordinator for the Belmont County Veterans Service Commission Office, holds an “American Red Cross Donate Blood Today” sign pointing toward the Bellaire veterans office, where a blood drive is slated for Tuesday.

BELLAIRE — To help fill the need for blood donations, the Belmont County Veterans Service Commission has partnered with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive next week.

The veterans service office will host the event from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday at its main office at 400 Imperial Plaza in Bellaire, located behind Kroger.

Michael Schuler, outreach coordinator for the Belmont County Veterans Service Commission Office, said they have been allotted 45 slots this year’s blood drive. He said there are currently 25 people scheduled with around 20 slots available for those willing to participate.

“We can accommodate a lot of people. In the past the Red Cross gave us less slots, but since we’ve moved into a larger facility we can accommodate more people. … There is an urgent need for blood, according to the Red Cross. … We hope to get as many as we can,” he said.

This is not the first time the commission has hosted a blood drive, though it will be the first at its new office, which it moved into in April. Schuler said they typically hold a couple of blood drives each year — the “Give for Those Who Gave,” which is held around Memorial Day, and another around Veterans Day. However, the events were canceled both last year and this year due to COVID-19 and the change in office locations. He said they did not want to wait much longer, especially with such an urgent need for blood donations across the country.

“So we offered to do one now,” he added.

Schuler said donating blood is a great way to help others and give back to the community. Donors can give blood up to six times a year, and each donation can save three lives.

According to the American Red Cross, all blood types are needed with a particular need for type O negative — the universal red blood cell that can be given to any patient and is commonly used for premature infants and in emergency rooms for trauma patients. Additionally, O-positive blood can be given to about 84 percent of the population; and type A donors provide blood platelets, which support patients undergoing cancer treatment, and are compatible with 85 percent of the population. Type AB is the universal plasma and can be given to all blood types, whereas type B patients can only receive type B and type O red blood cells.

Anyone interested in donating blood at the drive can schedule an appointment by calling the veterans service office at 740-325-1042, ext. 102, the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 or by visiting redcrossblood.org and enter “Veterans.” Schuler said walk-ins are welcome, although appointments are preferred. Food and drinks will be provided to those who give.