The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood and platelets this fall to help restock the shelves following a significant summer shortage to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need.
Through the first two weeks of September, the Red Cross is down more than 10,000 donations from what is needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for emergencies large and small. Declines in donations can lead to blood shortages and make it difficult to meet patient needs should a disaster or emergency occur.
“September is National Preparedness Month and we urge eligible donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets,” Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment of the Southern Blood Services Region. “Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, a routine surgery, a traumatic accident or a large-scale disaster, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives. Red Cross blood and platelet donors play an important role in helping communities be prepared for all kinds of emergencies.”
Donors of all blood types are needed as blood products continue to be distributed to hospitals almost as quickly as donations come in. 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). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
| 9/19/2016: 1 – 6 p.m., Metter Community Center, 1075 East Hiawatha St, Suite A | Metter |
| 9/19/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/19/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 415 East Cherry St. | Jesup |
| 9/20/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/20/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Springfield, 1435 Highway 119 North | Springfield |
| 9/20/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toombs County High School, 500 Bulldog Road | Lyons |
| 9/21/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Richmond Hill United Methodist Church, 9050 Ford Ave. | Richmond Hill |
| 9/21/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/21/2016: 12 – 5 p.m., Coastal Electric Cooperative, 1265 S. Coastal Highway | Midway |
| 9/22/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/22/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/23/2016: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec, 1 Max Lockwood Dr. | Statesboro |
| 9/23/2016: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/23/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Liberty Regional Medical Center, 462 E.G. Miles Parkway | Hinesville |
| 9/24/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/26/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/27/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/27/2016: 1 – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 321 West Barnard St. | Glennville |
| 9/28/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Alpha Delta Pi, 112 Olympic Blvd. | Statesboro |
| 9/28/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/29/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 9/29/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., Carteret Street United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St. | Beaufort |
| 9/29/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Wade Hampton High School, 115 Airport Road | Varnville |
| 9/30/2016: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/1/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/3/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/3/2016: 1 – 6:30 p.m., Toombs County Agri Center, 377 Quint Shrine Road | Lyons |
| 10/4/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/4/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Montgomery County High School, 701 C. Dobbins St. | Mount Vernon |
| 10/5/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., F.D. Russell Union, 1 Forest Drive | Statesboro |
| 10/5/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/5/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Veteran’s Community Center, Highway 280 West | Claxton |
| 10/6/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/6/2016: 12 – 5 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway | Hilton Head Island |
| 10/7/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Ports Authority, 100 North Main St. | Garden City |
| 10/7/2016: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/8/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/10/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/10/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/11/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Richmond Hill Fire Department, 9964 Ford Ave. | Richmond Hill |
| 10/11/2016: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/11/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council 10579, 7020 Concord Road | Savannah |
| 10/12/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nessmith Lane Conference Center, 847 Plant Drive | Statesboro |
| 10/12/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/13/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Portal High School, 27245 Highway 80 West | Portal |
| 10/13/2016: 12 – 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/13/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Southeastern Technical College – Swainsboro Campus Building #1, 346 Kite Road | Swainsboro |
| 10/14/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hospital, 11705 Mercy Blvd. | Savannah |
| 10/14/2016: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
| 10/15/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave. | Savannah |
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 (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.
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.