Heads Up, Residents: Summer Blood Donations Critically Needed

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.

The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitingredcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire atredcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Campbell
8/19/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., On-Site.com, 300 Orchard City Drive
8/26/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Home Church, 1711 Winchester Blvd.
8/27/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 2350 Winchester Blvd.

Morgan Hill

8/26/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave.

San Jose
8/17/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/18/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/19/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/20/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/22/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/23/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., SCVWD Admin Bldg, 5750 Almaden Expressway
8/23/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/24/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/24/2016: noon - 6 p.m., Medical Office Building 275, 275 Hospital Parkway
8/25/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/26/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/27/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/27/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave.
8/29/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/30/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Elks Lodge #522, 444 W. Alma Ave.
8/30/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
8/31/2016: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Santa Clara County Berger San Jose, 1555 Berger Drive
8/31/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.

Santa Clara
8/30/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, 710 Lawrence Expressway

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/RapidPassand follow the instructions on the site.

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--News submitted from the American Red Cross/Shutterstock image