Blood supplies are running perilously low. Donors are needed throughout Puget Sound | Opinion
Blood donors needed
The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage and urges people to make an appointment to give now to help patients across the country receive lifesaving medical treatments. Heat impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding seasonal obstacles to blood donation.
Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July, while distributions to hospitals have remained strong and the blood supply has still not recovered from significant donation shortfalls earlier this summer. Right now, the supply of type O blood products is so low that hospital distributions of this vital blood type have been reduced below what hospitals need in recent weeks.
All blood types − especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets − are needed to meet the needs of patients. On behalf of the Red Cross, I encourage you to roll up a sleeve and answer the call. Please make your appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Randy Gilbert, Tacoma
Will miss Driscoll’s voice
I wanted to express my true shock and sadness on reading about Matt Driscoll’s sudden death. I didn’t always see things the same way he did, but I always appreciated learning more about the topic, issue, or person he highlighted. He made me think and expanded my understanding with a different point of view. I recently wrote a letter to the editor disagreeing with one of his op eds, calling him out on something. I knew he was open to disagreement and debate, so It did not surprise me at all that he printed it.
His wife described his humor, witty banter and wry observations. Those are qualities I enjoy and obviously what made me eager to read Matt’s columns and op-eds every week. My sincere condolences to his wife and children, as well as his colleagues. I will truly miss Matt’s voice in our community.
Lisa Hamill, Tacoma
Stevens column shouldn’t be published
In his opinion piece about Kamala Harris, Bret Stevens is completely out of touch with the relief, joy, enthusiasm and appreciation voters feel about having Harris step in to run for president. His points are old news.
The Harris we have seen in the last week is wildly popular with everyone I talk to — friends, family, strangers, women, men, young, old, white, people of color, gay & straight. She hit the campaign trail running, on the mark with her message, having fun and inspiring her audiences. Did you see her report after meeting with Netanyahu? She was strong, confident, on-point and very much a leader.
She is very clear that she has her own voice and we are learning what her priorities will be as they come into focus. You should base your opinion on current news noting the outpouring of donations breaking all records, new voters signing up and record numbers of volunteers who want to help get her elected! Kamala has risen to the occasion. The TNT needs to do a better job vetting even opinion pieces. Stephens’ article was old and offensive.
Ruthann Marie ReIm, University Place
Secret Service is hamstrung
The failed assassination of Former President Donald during a campaign in rural Pennsylvania, as well as the enormous sociopolitical fallout the event caused, shows us that agencies with great responsibility need a better existence.
Being the oldest law enforcement agency in the country, the Secret Service has seen little independence in accomplishing its mission of serving its protectees, both effectively and efficiently.
Despite its successes in protecting both sitting and former U.S. presidents and other high-ranking Feferal officials, the agency is a double-task agency that struggles to serve its protectees while specializing in the evolving field of financial counterfeiting and fraud.
Moreover, the agency’s existence under the Homeland Security Department, to date, never allowed it to become independent or even able to fulfill its mission.
Even so, Congress can help the troubled agency by, for instance, securing its independence and limiting already onerous presidential protection to only the president and the presidential family for a specific timeframe. As long as Congress continues exhibiting incompetence, the Secret Service will not be effective in safeguarding the president and candidates.
Erick Dietrich, Olympia
Driscoll’s passion moved me
I was stunned and saddened to read about the death of Matt Driscoll. I appreciated his willingness to write about human interest stories in a way that expressed empathy and compassion.
While we were on opposite ends of the political spectrum, I appreciated his perspective and always looked forward to reading what he had to say.
My condolences to his family and to the staff at the News Tribune.
Shawn Cooley, Tacoma