The best gifts can’t be bought in a store. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give more life by giving blood this December.

 

Alison Wissen knows the power of blood donations. She received 22 units of blood products after experiencing complications during childbirth. “I truly owe my life to blood donors,” she said. “Even the skilled hands of my surgeons could not have saved me without the blood.” Because of blood and platelet donors, Wissen will celebrate the holidays with her three children and husband.

 

In December, donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady. During the holiday season, set aside an hour to give the most important gift – give blood and give more life. To encourage donations, all those who come to give blood or platelets Dec. 21, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

 

Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 16-31

12/16/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Auxiliary Post 168, 1123 Oglethorpe Highway	Hinesville
12/16/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/18/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Reidsville United Methodist Church, 121 Brazell St.	Reidsville
12/18/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Liberty Regional Medical Center, 462 E.G. Miles Parkway	Hinesville
12/18/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/19/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/19/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Curves, 365 Red Cedar St., Suite 302	Bluffton
12/20/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hinesville Masonic Lodge 271 & VA Clinic, 500 E Oglethorpe Highway	Hinesville
12/20/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/20/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Recreation, 1 Max Lockwood Drive	Statesboro
12/21/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Newman Gym, 439 Bundy Ave.	Fort Stewart
12/21/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Savannah Harley Davidson, 1 Fort Argyle Road	Savannah
12/21/2017: 12:45 – 7:30 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 200 Tanger Outlet Blvd.	Pooler
12/22/2017: 8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/22/2017: 3 – 7 p.m., Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave.	Savannah
12/22/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Richmond Hill Fire Department, 9930 Ford Ave.	Richmond Hill
12/23/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 200 Tanger Outlet Blvd.	Pooler
12/23/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/26/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/26/2017: 12 – 4 p.m., Starbucks, 714 Northside Drive East	Statesboro
12/26/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 201 North Main St.	Baxley
12/27/2017: 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., Hampton Regional Medical Center, 595 West Carolina Ave.	Varnville
12/27/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Port Wentworth, 402 Pinehurst Place	Port Wentworth
12/27/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/28/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, 130 Canal St.	Pooler
12/28/2017: 12:45 – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/28/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eastern Heights Baptist Church, 23805 Highway 80 East	Statesboro
12/28/2017: 2 – 7 p.m., Pembroke United Methodist Church, 102 North College St.	Pembroke
12/29/2017: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.	Savannah
12/29/2017: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Recreation, 1 Max Lockwood Drive	Statesboro
12/29/2017: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shelter Cove Towne Centre, 40 Shelter Cove Lane	Hilton Head Island
12/30/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 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 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.

 

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

 

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.