Celebrate Red Cross Month by giving blood in March

(Feb. 19. 2017) – During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.
Since 1943, every U.S. president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world. Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters, who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities and bring hope to people facing emergencies.
Blood donor Timothy Sheely knows the need firsthand. His wife required 12 units of blood during emergency surgery following the birth of their son. “If it had not been for blood donors, she might not have survived,” he said. “Thanks to generous blood donors, I still have a wife and my kids still have their mom. I can’t possibly thank those people in person, but I can give a little piece of me back with each donation for the greater good.”
The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed to help those rely on blood products.
Make an appointment to become a hero to patients in need by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

GA

Appling

Baxley
3/9/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 201 North Main St.

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Bryan

Richmond Hill
3/5/2018: 2 – 7 p.m., City of Richmond Hill, 240 Cedar St.
3/14/2018: 2 – 7 p.m., Richmond Hill United Methodist Church, 9050 Ford Ave.

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Bulloch

Statesboro
3/2/2018: 12 – 6 p.m., Viracon, 8373 Zell Miller Parkway
3/6/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Recreation, 1 Max Lockwood Drive
3/7/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Southern University, 85 Georgia Ave.
3/8/2018: 12 – 6 p.m., St. Matthew Catholic Church, 221 John Paul Ave.
3/13/2018: 12 – 5 p.m., Pittman Park United Methodist Church, 1102 Fair Road

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Chatham

Savannah
3/1/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/2/2018: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/3/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/4/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 12 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/5/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/6/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/7/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/8/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/9/2018: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/10/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/11/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 12 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/12/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/12/2018: 2 – 7 p.m., May Howard Elementary School, 115 Wilmington Island Road
3/12/2018: 2 – 7 p.m., American Red Cross Savannah Chapter, 41 Park of Commerce Way, Building 200
3/12/2018: 3 – 7 p.m., Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave.
3/13/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/14/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Candler Hospital, 5353 Reynolds St.
3/14/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.
3/15/2018: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.

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Effingham

Rincon
3/1/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive

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Emanuel

Twin City
3/9/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Emanuel County Institute, 102 North College St.

Swainsboro
3/15/2018: 12 – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 240 West Main St.

Jeff Davis

Hazlehurst
3/13/2018: 2 – 7 p.m., Hazlehurst First Baptist Church, 30 N Tallahassee St.

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Liberty

Hinesville
3/5/2018: 1 – 7 p.m., Live Oak Church of God, 296 Live Oak Church Road

Fort Stewart
3/9/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Logistics Readiness Center, 1624 West 6th St.

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McIntosh

Townsend
3/6/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 2279 GA Highway 99

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Screven

Sylvania
3/8/2018: 12 – 6 p.m., Cail Recreation Center, 320 Millen Road

SC

Beaufort

Bluffton
3/6/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sun City, 114 Sun City Lane
3/7/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway

Hilton Head
3/8/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hilton Head Island Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court

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Hampton

Hampton
3/1/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., PMPED Law Firm, 101 Mulberry St. E

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.

Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

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.