Blood Drives Set Through End Of Month In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and other patients during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

More than 1.6 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year and 246,600 of them will be invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood donations every day to help patients, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors of all blood types are needed.

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 save time when donating.

• Donation opportunities in Santa Cruz County"

Ben Lomond - 10/21/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ben Lomond, 9545 Lovecreek Road

Santa Cruz - 10/19/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Watsonville - 10/24/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson St.

• Also see: World Harmony Chorus Launches In Santa Cruz

--Shutterstock image