(Dec. 7, 2020) — December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets this holiday season.
The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.
Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
To encourage donations this holiday season, those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross Dec. 18-Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
As COVID-19 hospitalizations increase, hospital demand for convalescent plasma has also grown. COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation given by those who’ve recovered from this coronavirus. Their plasma contains antibodies that may help patients actively fighting the virus. Learn more about convalescent plasma and sign up to give at RedCrossBlood.org/Plasma4COVID.
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 16-Jan. 4
GA
Chatham
Pooler
12/7/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Baptist Church – Pooler, 204 US Hwy 80 W
Savannah
12/7/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Toombs
Lyons
12/7/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Partin Park Callaway Center, Partin Park Callaway Center, 168 Miot Drive
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Chatham
Savannah
12/8/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/8/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Islands Christian Church, 4601 Highway 80 East
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Liberty
Hinesville
12/8/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Connection Church, 116 Patriot’s Trail
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McIntosh
Darien
12/8/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Glory Worship Center, 14760 Ridge Road/ HWY 99
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Chatham
Savannah
12/9/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Charles H. Morris Center at Trustees’ Garden, 10 E. Broad St.
12/9/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
Tybee Island
12/9/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tybee Island Cafeteria, 204 5th Street
Savannah
12/10/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Toombs
Lyons
12/10/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Toombs County High School, 500 Bulldog Road
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Chatham
Savannah
12/11/2020: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/12/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/13/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Bacon
Alma
12/14/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Multispecialty Clinic, 205 South Wayne Street
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Chatham
Savannah
12/14/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/14/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Skidaway Island United Methodist, 54 Diamond Causeway
12/14/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., LifeBridge Church, 1821 E. Montgomery Cross Rd.
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Appling
Baxley
12/15/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church Baxley, 15 North Main Street
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Chatham
Savannah
12/15/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Effingham
Rincon
12/15/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, 107 Goshen Rd
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Chatham
Savannah
12/16/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/16/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2 St. Thomas Ave.
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Liberty
Fort Stewart
12/16/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Stewart, 1639 Gulick Ave
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Chatham
Pooler
12/17/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 200 Tanger Outlet Boulevard
Savannah
12/17/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Liberty
Hinesville
12/17/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hinesville Public Library, 236 West Memorial Drive
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Bulloch
Statesboro
12/18/2020: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Honey Bowen Building, Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec Honey Bowen Bldg., 1 Max Lockwood Dr
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Chatham
Savannah
12/18/2020: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/18/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Area Board of Realtors, 7015 Hodgson Memorial Drive
12/19/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/20/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Bacon
Alma
12/21/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Multispecialty Clinic, 205 South Wayne Street
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Chatham
Savannah
12/21/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Tattnall
Reidsville
12/21/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Reidsville United Methodist Church, 121 Brazell Street
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Wayne
Jesup
12/21/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church Jesup, 415 East Cherry Street
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Chatham
Pooler
12/22/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., YMCA West Chatham, 165 Isaac G. LaRoche Drive
Savannah
12/22/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Montgomery
Uvalda
12/22/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Uvalda Baptist Church, 405 West Main St
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Chatham
Savannah
12/23/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Grand Lake Club, 815 Southbridge blvd
12/23/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/23/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Parkway Church of Christ, 4360 Ogeechee Rd.
Pooler
12/24/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 200 Tanger Outlet Boulevard
Savannah
12/24/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Toombs
Vidalia
12/24/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Vidalia Community Center, 107 Old Airport Road
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Chatham
Savannah
12/26/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
12/27/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
Port Wentworth
12/28/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Port Wentworth, 402 Pinehurst Pl
Savannah
12/28/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Bulloch
Statesboro
12/29/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grace Community Church Statesboro, 4703 Pulaski Road
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Chatham
Savannah
12/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Ferguson Avenue Baptist Church, 10050 Ferguson Ave.
12/29/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Bulloch
Statesboro
12/30/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eastern Heights Baptist Church, 23805 Highway 80 East
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Chatham
Savannah
12/30/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nine Line Apparel, 450 Fort Argyle Road
12/30/2020: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Wayne
Jesup
12/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street
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Chatham
Savannah
12/31/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
1/1/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
1/2/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
1/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Savannah Harley Davidson, 1 Fort Argyle Road
1/3/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
Pooler
1/4/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pooler Bible Church, 1202 US HWY 80 West
Savannah
1/4/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
1/5/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Toombs
Vidalia
1/5/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Vidalia Community Center, 107 Old Airport Road
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Bulloch
Statesboro
1/6/2021: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Honey Bowen Building, Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec Honey Bowen Bldg., 1 Max Lockwood Dr
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Chatham
Savannah
1/6/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Liberty
Fort Stewart
1/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Stewart, 1639 Gulick Ave
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Chatham
Savannah
1/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The DeSoto Savannah, 15 E. Liberty
1/7/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Joe Marchese Construction, 1525 Dean Forest Rd. Suite 100
1/7/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
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Liberty
Hinesville
1/7/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Liberty County YMCA, 201 Mary Lou Drive
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Bulloch
Statesboro
1/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., East Georgia Regional Medical Center, 1499 Fair Road
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Chatham
Savannah
1/8/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
1/9/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
About blood donation
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.