Photo Provided Dr. Vy Rossi, a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, donates blood in anticipation of Mother’s Day, as nonprofit Vitalant reminds the public that one in every 83 pregnancies results in a complication that requires a blood transfusion.

WHEELING — Vitalant reminds the public that new moms need blood for one in every 83 births, stressing the importance of donating in anticipation of Mother’s Day on May 11.

Childbirth complications regularly require blood transfusions, often at a moment’s notice according to nonprofit Vitalant. Together with Vitalant, three women touched by this need are calling for blood donors to support all patients, including women who need blood when bringing new life into the world.

Some pregnancy complications that require blood transfusions include amniotic embolism, placenta accreta, ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. Obstetrics and gynecology are also ranked among the top 10 medical specialities that need the most blood and platelets for patients.

Mother Kristin Belmonte has experienced two separate childbirth complications and needed a combined total of 42 units of blood.

Mother Kate McMeekin was a nurse who was familiar with blood transfusions before needing one herself when her second child was born. She suffered placenta accreta, a condition that can cause severe blood loss after delivery.

“I needed only two units (of blood), but I have many friends who needed much more,” McMeekin said. “I knew giving back by donating blood myself but also encouraging others to donate for pregnancy complications was going to be part of my mission.”

Dr. Vy Rossi, a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, has seen a growing number of patients needing blood, according to a news release.

“I’ve given patients as much as 50 units of blood, and that’s what pushed me to do this,” Dr. Rossi said. “Running a blood drive and donating at a blood drive can be so therapeutic for both the person who receives the blood and also the providers that delivered the blood.”

Belmonte works at Vitalant and hosts an annual blood drive on her personal time.

“We wanted to see how we could take all we were doing individually and make it bigger and something more meaningful, and that’s where Donate for Mothers was born,” Belmonte said. “Maternal advocacy is something that I take a lot of pride in and I spend a lot of time doing. The goal is I want to make sure there are always blood donors, there is always an adequate blood supply so the blood is always there when these things happen.”

Vitalint tells people that healthy, eligible blood donors are needed every day to make sure blood is readily available for patients for every type of need, including trauma, surgeries, cancer, blood disorders and more. To be eligible to be a blood donor, one must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well and healthy on the day of donation.

Donors can make an appointment and learn the ways to support the cause at vitalant.org, by using the Vitalant blood donor app or by calling 877-258-4825.

Upcoming blood drives in the local area include:

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 at Barnesville High School, 910 Shamrock Drive, Barnesville

11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital — Betty Beebe-Habig room, 800 Wheeling Ave., Glen Dale

1-5 p.m. Wednesday at St. Clairsville Church of Christ — Fellowship Hall, 47694 Reservoir Road, St. Clairsville

12:30-5 p.m. May 19 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church — Fellowship Hall, 300 Three Springs Drive, Weirton

3-8 p.m. May 30 at Burrall Kandy Replenishment — Mt. Olivet Methodist Church, 162 Fairmont Pike Road, Wheeling