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Red Cross Critically Needs Donors After Winter Weather Adds to Severe Blood Shortage

(Jan. 18, 2017) – Following several rounds of severe winter weather in many parts of the country, the American Red Cross urges eligible blood and platelet donors to help restock its shelves to overcome a shortage.
Since Dec. 1, about 300 blood drives across 27 states have been forced to cancel due to inclement winter weather, resulting in more than 10,500 blood and platelet donations going uncollected. Despite the weather, hospital patients still rely on transfusions.
Blood donor Jim Taylor knows how it feels to have a loved one waiting for a transfusion. His son Aaron was born with a rare liver condition. In the short two months of his life, he received 115 blood products. Taylor said each transfusion gave his family more time with Aaron, so he encourages others to give.
“When the Red Cross says there is a shortage, they are not exaggerating,” said Taylor. “I now know from experience that what they are saying is somewhere there is a father waiting on the donation that will save his son’s life. When the Red Cross asks for help, what that means is a new dad is praying for a miracle.” 
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

1/23/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/24/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hinesville Masonic Lodge 271 & VA Clinic, 500 E Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville
1/25/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/26/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/26/2017: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Montgomery County High School, 701 C. Dobbins St. Mount Vernon
1/27/2017: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/27/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Liberty Regional Medical Center, 462 E.G. Miles Parkway Hinesville
1/27/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wayne Memorial Hospital, 865 South First St. Jesup
1/28/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/30/2017: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec, 1 Max Lockwood Drive Statesboro
1/30/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/30/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 415 East Cherry St. Jesup
1/31/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
1/31/2017: 1 – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 321 West Barnard St. Glennville
2/1/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Southern University – Williams Center, 74 Georgia Ave. Statesboro
2/1/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/1/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway Bluffton
2/2/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Bacon County High School, 1190 US Highway 1 South Alma
2/2/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/2/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave. Savannah
2/2/2017: 12 – 6 p.m., Carteret Street United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St. Beaufort
2/3/2017: 2 – 6 p.m., Brooklet Elementary School, 600 West Lane St. Brooklet
2/3/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds, 16908 Highway 67 South Statesboro
2/3/2017: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/3/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Vidalia High School, 1001 North St. West Vidalia
2/4/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/6/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/6/2017: 1 – 7 p.m., Toombs County Agri Center, 377 Quint Shrine Road Lyons
2/7/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/7/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Springfield, 1435 Highway 119 North Springfield
2/8/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/8/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Veteran’s Community Center, Highway 280 West Claxton
2/9/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Armstrong Atlantic State University Student Union, 11935 Abercorn Extension Savannah
2/9/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/9/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Tybee Island Cafeteria, 202 5th St. Tybee Island
2/9/2017: 12 – 5 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island
2/10/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Ports Authority, 100 North Main St. Garden City
2/10/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Ave. Savannah
2/10/2017: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/11/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/13/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Richmond Hill Fire Department, 9930 Ford Ave. Richmond Hill
2/13/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/14/2017: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec, 1 Max Lockwood Dr. Statesboro
2/14/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah
2/14/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hinesville Masonic Lodge 271 & VA Clinic, 500 E Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville
2/15/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Georgia Southern University – F.D. Russell Union Ballroom, 1 Forest Drive Statesboro
2/15/2017: 1 – 6 p.m., Viracon, 8373 Zell Miller Parkway Statesboro
2/15/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. Savannah

 
How to help
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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