El Cerrito Residents Encouraged to Donate Blood in February

Announcement submitted by the Red Cross:

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients by giving blood this February.

During the winter months, inclement winter weather and seasonal illnesses can keep regular donors from giving blood. Healthy donors of all blood types are needed to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in their own communities as well as areas where donors were unable to give due to severe winter weather. Individuals with types O, AB, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed.

Donor Loretta Brandon knows how important it is to have a readily available blood supply. Her late husband required transfusions from generous strangers multiple times for health conditions. She gives blood as often as she can.

“Every time I give blood, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for all I have and for the fact that I can share with others,” she said.

Make an appointment to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in need this winter 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 in Contra Costa County:

Brentwood

• Feb. 18 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Golden Hills Community Church, 2401 Shady Willow Lane

Danville

• Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road

Hercules

• Feb. 16 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Hercules Senior Center, 111 Civic Drive

Oakley

• Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Diamond Hills Sports Club & Spa, 1510 Neroly Road

Pleasant Hill

• Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• Feb. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

Walnut Creek

• Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Whole Foods, 16th District, 1333 Newell Ave.
• Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Walnut Heights Elementary, 4064 Walnut Blvd.

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.

Photo via Shutterstock