Blood and platelet donations needed throughout holiday season

MADISON, Wisconsin (Nov. 21, 2016) — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the perfect gift this holiday season – a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can help ensure patients continue to receive treatment throughout the holiday season.

Busy holiday schedules and travel plans make it more challenging for regular donors to give, and many businesses and organizations postpone hosting blood drives during the holiday season for these same reasons. This can lead to a decline in blood donations, but the need is constant.

“While many of us gather with friends and family this time of year, patients may spend the holidays in a hospital room,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “The need for blood doesn’t take a break for the holidays. Please make an appointment to give the most meaningful gift of all – the gift of life through a blood or platelet donation.”

To encourage donations around Thanksgiving, those who come to give blood or platelets from Nov. 24-28 will be emailed a set of recipes from celebrity chef partners Mario Batali, Rick Bayless, Richard Blais, David Burke, Mike Isabella and Ellie Krieger.

Power Red maximizes donations

Blood donors with type O, B negative and A negative blood can help more patients with one appointment by making a Power Red donation at select Red Cross blood donation centers and blood drives. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells – the most commonly transfused blood component. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently give to trauma and surgery patients. During a Power Red donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and plasma and platelets are then safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

“With just a little extra time at their appointment, donors can have an even greater impact on patients in need,” added Gehrig.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Iowa

Lee

Keokuk

12/1/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 3476 Main St.

12/12/2016: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Keokuk Catholic School, 2981 Plank Road

Illinois

Carroll

Chadwick

12/8/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chadwick Fire Department, 210 Calvert Street, Route 40

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Henry

Kewanee

12/9/2016: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wethersfield High School Key Club, 439 Willard St.

12/10/2016: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kewanee Armory, 111 N East Street

12/13/2016: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kewanee OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St.

12/14/2016: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St.

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Lee

Dixon

11/29/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 506 West Third

12/7/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Illinois Department of Transportation, 819 Depot

12/8/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ken Nelson Auto Group, 1050 N. Galena Avenue

Paw Paw

11/28/2016: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Paw Paw High School, 511 Chapman

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Mercer

Alexis

11/30/2016: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave.

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Rock Island

Moline

12/8/2016: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive, PO Box 888

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Whiteside

Fulton

11/22/2016: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th Street

12/13/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th Street

Prophetstown

12/12/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St.

Rock Falls

12/7/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St.

Sterling

12/1/2016: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road

12/6/2016: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Newman Central Catholic High School, 1101 W. 23rd Street

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 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.

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.

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