The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, 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 Donor App, visitingredcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in November in Marshall County are:
November 16th in Argos from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.at the Argos United Methodist Church located at 540 N Michigan St. and in Plymouth from 12:30 p.m. till 6 p.m. at Washington Discovery Academy located at 1500 Lake Avenue.
The Knights of Columbus will also host a blood drive on November 30th from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus is located at 901 East Jefferson Street in Plymouth.
How to donate blood
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 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/RapidPassand follow the instructions on the site.
