PEORIA, Ill. (Dec. 4, 2012) ? The holiday season is here, and with it comes the exchange of gifts amongst family and friends. But many hospital patients have a gift on their wish list this year that only generous hearts can give: a blood donation.
Once the hustle and bustle of the holidays subsides, the American Red Cross reminds people to give one last gift ? give blood. A blood donation can be the most meaningful gift of the season.
As many as 44,000 blood donations are needed every day across the country to meet the needs of patients. Make an appointment to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Carroll County
Dec. 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Third St. in Savanna, Ill.
Clinton County
Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lyondell Chemical Co., 3400 Anamosa Road in Clinton, Iowa
Henry County
Dec. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Mercer County
Dec. 18 from 12-6 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Scott County
Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mel Foster Co., 3211 E. 35th St. Court in Davenport, Iowa
Whiteside County
Dec. 18 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Dec. 19 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Dec. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Dec. 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.®
Shop the Holiday Giving Catalog: The 2012 Holiday Giving Catalog at redcross.org/holiday has even more charitable gift ideas. Shoppers can buy food and shelter for disaster victims, phone cards for members of the U.S. armed forces or vaccinations for an entire village, among many other gifts. Catalog purchases come with greeting cards for loved ones, letting them know a donation was made in their name.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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