Resolve To Be A Blood Donor in 2016!

News from the American Red Cross:

This January, during National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to roll up their sleeves to give blood to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.

Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January to not only honor blood and platelet donors, but also to help increase donations during the winter months. Maintaining a sufficient blood supply for patients is difficult at this time of year because extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout.

Karla Essmiller became a blood donor in college, but the importance of giving blood hit home when several family members had medical emergencies. “It only takes once sitting in a hospital, praying that your loved one will live through the day, to know how thankful you are for every single thing done to help them,” she said. “Donating blood is a simple gift that I can make that may help up to three people live another day. That makes me feel like a hero.”

The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B negative and A negative.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Santa Cruz County

Felton

Jan. 15 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Highway 9

Santa Cruz

Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whole Foods, 911 Soquel Ave.

Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at County of Santa Cruz, Health Services Agency and Public Health Department – Building D, 1080 Emeline Ave.

Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Jan. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Paradigm Sport, 120 Dubois St., Suite B

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.

--Image via Shutterstock