BY KAREN BOSSICK

Got blood? Higher Ground is asking for you to give it away.

Higher Ground is holding its seventh annual Steve Adam Memorial Blood Drive honoring a former volunteer with the therapeutic recreation organization. And it’s in a good location to do so as Sun Valley boasts one of the best collection areas in the state per capita.

The blood drive will be held throughout the day of Tuesday, May 5, at The Boiler Room in Sun Valley Village.

Blood donors can sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Steve

If there are no appointments available, join a waiting list by contact George Caton at wtcaton@gmail.com.

“Each year we have a few cancellations in the last day or two before the blood drive,” Caton said. “Being on our waiting list will help us fill all of our appointments enabling us to fulfill our blood drive goal.  Also, if there are only Power Red appointments available and you are not eligible to be a Power Red donor, contact me and I can help you get the whole blood appointment you need.”

The Red Cross of Idaho needs to collect about 100 whole units of blood per day to meet demand.  There is also a requirement for 20 platelet donors per day.  

Each donor’s blood can be used to help up to three people.

Every 2 seconds someone in this country needs lifesaving blood.  That includes cancer patients, premature babies, accident victims and countless others.

If you have recently donated blood, you can donate every 56 days.  

There is no substitute for human blood; donors are the only source.  

Higher Ground started the blood drive in honor of Steve Adam, who died way too young.

“Steve was one of the favorites of Higher Ground staff, other volunteers and especially the participants,” said Caton. “Steve particularly loved working with our veterans, guiding, counseling, and skiing with them.”