Don’t wait for a sunny day to make blood donation
The treacherous winter weather throughout much of the United States over the last few weeks has caused horrific driving conditions and power outages. But these winter storms have had another consequence that was more subtle, though no less important: their impact on our nation’s blood supply.
In many communities around the country, with blood supplies already low, the American Red Cross has seen its efforts hindered, halted or re-routed by the storms.
Some 300 blood drives have been cancelled so far, causing a shortfall of more than 14,000 pints of blood since Jan. 1. To this week’s cancer patients and accident victims, who will require anywhere from one to 40 pints in their treatment, that loss could be significant.
The shortfall of blood will have to be made up somehow so that those in need will not have to go without. If you are a regular donor and enough time has passed since your last donation, please make an appointment to give again soon.
If you are a past donor who hasn’t given blood in a while, now is a great time to return to this rewarding service to patients. If you’ve never donated, right now is a great time to begin. Please call 704-633-3854 or visit www.redcrossblood.org/ to find a blood drive near you.
In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed about every two seconds. And on any given day, patients in our country require an average of 41,000 units of blood. Storms or not, an adequate blood supply remains critical.
Times like these give even more meaning to the Red Cross tagline: The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.
Please give today.
— Tiffany N. Jacobs
Jacobs is the donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region.
City manager a bargain
Well, it is time for me to put in my twocents. Salisbury is very lucky to have a man like David Treme serving the city for 20-plus years. As city managers go, his salary is a steal; and as far as his bonus, he didn’t ask for it. The council knew that David was getting close to retirement and wanted to show appreciation for a job well done. The county manager has only been here a short time and makes as much as David.
When David does retire they will pay someone a lot more and not get his knowledge. David is running a multimillion dollar operation and getting a store manager’s salary. See what you get when he does retire and what he will get for a salary. Now, I have said my piece.
— Lenny Wolfe
Salisbury
Treme gives to others
In reference to the letter Wednesday regarding City Manager Dave Treme:
I could not allow Carol Bost’s comments to go unchallenged. Ms. Bost, you obviously do not know who manages our city when you commented that you wondered how much of his bonus would go to needy families. Mr. Treme is on his knees every day before most of us get out of bed, praying for a long list of needy people including the citizens of Salisbury/Rowan County.
I can assure you that Mr. Treme not only gives his time; he also gives, unselfishly, his hard-earned money to people and organizations that need it. Salisbury is blessed to have such a fine man at the helm.
Thank you, Dave, for your time, talent and energy you have given to make this such a nice place to live.
— Penny Bowman
Salisbury
Recycle roadside litter
I read in the Jan. 19 Salisbury Post that participants filled more than 288,000 bags with roadside litter, and I wondered if all that litter was put in a landfill or was it recycled?
Also, I have noticed where trash is picked up along roads in Rowan County and then left beside the road for weeks before it is hauled off. By then, wild animals tear the bags open and it has to be picked up again.
Why does it take so long to get bags hauled off? Why can’t they use different colored bags for glass, plastic and paper etc. so the litter can be recycled? Maybe even the bags could be recycled.
— C.W. Belk
Cleveland