The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood for patients in need this holiday season.
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are buys with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. According to American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30
Custer
Arnold
11/16/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Community Center, 204 S Carroll St
Broken Bow
11/29/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Municipal Building, 314 S. 10th
Sargent
11/27/2017: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Community Center, 305 Main St.
Holt
Chambers
11/28/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion, 103 N. Norvell
Howard
Saint Paul
11/16/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Paul High School, 1305 Howard Avenue
Valley
Arcadia
11/30/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Arcadia Public School, 320 W. Owens St.
How to donate blood
Simply download theAmerican 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 drivers 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 and platelet donors can 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
