Donors urgently needed to increase Red Cross blood supply
(Feb. 1, 2017) – The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment to give this winter so that patients can continue to receive lifesaving treatments.
Michael Harper knows how critical it is to have a readily available blood supply. “I used over 300 units of blood when I was younger after an auto accident. Blood donations helped save my life,” he said. “Now, I would like to donate as much or more than I have received.”
Blood donations are urgently needed now and throughout the winter to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. 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). All those who come to donate from Jan. 30 to Feb. 26, 2017, are eligible to receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email for making blood and platelet donation a priority this winter.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
| 2/16/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/16/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southeastern Technical College – Swainsboro Campus Building #1, 346 Kite Road | Swainsboro |
| 2/17/2017: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hospital, 11705 Mercy Blvd. | Savannah |
| 2/17/2017: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/17/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Vidalia High School, 1001 North St. West | Vidalia |
| 2/18/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/20/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Bible Baptist Church, 889 Georgia Highway 24 | Statesboro |
| 2/20/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/20/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Reidsville United Methodist Church, 121 Brazell St. | Reidsville |
| 2/21/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 201 North Main St. | Baxley |
| 2/21/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/21/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., GA Pacific River Mill, 393 Ft. Howard Road | Rincon |
| 2/21/2017: 1 – 6 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, 6227 Highway 21 South | Rincon |
| 2/22/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ogeechee Technical College, 1 Joe Kennedy Blvd. | Statesboro |
| 2/22/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Southern University Williams Center, 74 Georgia Ave. | Statesboro |
| 2/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec, 1 Max Lockwood Dr. | Statesboro |
| 2/22/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/23/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Pembroke United Methodist Church, 102 North College St. | Pembroke |
| 2/23/2017: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/23/2017: 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., Hampton Regional Medical Center, 595 West Carolina Ave. | Varnville |
| 2/24/2017: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/24/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pinewood Christian Academy, 1 Buck Cravey Drive | Bellville |
| 2/25/2017: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/27/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/28/2017: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 2/28/2017: 12 – 6 p.m., Vidalia Community Center, 107 Old Airport Road | Vidalia |
| 2/28/2017: 1:30 – 6:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 917 Grays Highway | Ridgeland |
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 Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver blood products to 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, contact Darlene Cromwell at 470-316-8672, Honwan Byrd at 470-316-8671 or visit rdcrss.org/21znSrf.
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.
