Blood donations needed for Red Cross

As millions of Americans make their final gift purchases this holiday season, the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors to give the most meaningful gift of all – the gift of life – by donating blood or platelets.

Blood donations often decline during the holidays when busy schedules, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can make it more difficult for donors to make and keep donation appointments, but the need for blood doesn’t get a break for the holiday season.

Red Cross Spokesperson Kristin Stancil says that during the final two weeks of the year, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 175,000 blood and platelet donations for those depending on transfusions at hospitals and transfusion centers locally and across the country.

Blood donors of all types, particularly AB, O, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are encouraged to make an appointment to donate and help ensure hospitals have the blood they need for patients this winter.

However, Stancil says the Red Cross is always in particular need of Type O Negative blood.

Stancil says giving blood is easy and adds that someone can donate blood every 56 days.

In Toccoa, the American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church today, December 21, from 2p to 7p.

And the Bloodmobile will also be at Clark’s Creek Baptist Church in Martin on Friday, January 5th, from 1p to 6p.

As a special appreciation gift, those who come to give Dec. 21 through Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

For more information on donating blood or donation sites, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-red-cross, or go online to www.redcrossblood.org.