Next Month, Red Cross Calls For Blood Donors As Unique As The Patients They Help

From the American Red Cross:

In honor of Black History Month this February, and in the spirit of Dr. Charles Drew, an African-American surgeon who was the first medical director of the American Red Cross and a modern blood-banking pioneer, eligible donors as diverse as the patients who need their blood donations are encouraged to give blood to ensure a sufficient blood supply.

Blood from a donor with a similar ethnic background as that of the patient is less likely to cause complications, particularly for those patients whose chronic conditions require repeated transfusions. Sickle cell disease is one such chronic condition affecting as many as 100,000 people in the United States.

Prior to transfusion, blood type and Rh factor are matched between donated blood and the patient in need. In some cases, additional red cell markers in donated blood must be matched, as well. These markers are best found in blood from donors of a similar ethnicity.

With seasonal flu and inclement winter weather preventing many regular donors from giving, the Red Cross urges healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood in the coming days and weeks. All blood types are currently needed to help maintain a diverse and sufficient blood supply, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

• 2/2/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church, 16970 DeWitt Ave. Morgan Hill
• 2/2/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/3/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Irvine Company, 690 McCarthy Blvd Milpitas
• 2/3/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/3/2015: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 South Bascom Ave. San Jose
• 2/4/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave. San Jose
• 2/4/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Palantir, Red Cross Bloodmobile, 164 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto
• 2/4/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., SugarCRM, Red Cross Bloodmobile, 10050 North Wolfe Rd. (at Stevens Creek) Cupertino
• 2/4/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/5/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Palantir, Red Cross Bloodmobile, 164 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto
• 2/5/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/6/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Pruneyard Towers at The Pruneyard, Red Cross Bloodmobile, 1901 South Bascom Ave. Campbell
• 2/6/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/7/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/7/2015: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7999 Miller Ave. Gilroy
• 2/9/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/10/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Gigya, Red Cross Bloodmobile, 2513 E Charleston Rd., Mountain View
• 2/10/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/11/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/12/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave. Gilroy
• 2/12/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/13/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/13/2015: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gardner Bullis School, 25890 Fremont Rd. Los Altos
• 2/14/2015: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Willow Glen Business Assn., Willow Glenn Community Ctr., 2175 Lincoln Ave. San Jose
• 2/14/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St. San Jose
• 2/14/2015: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Pacific Hills Manor, 370 Noble Court Morgan Hill

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.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

--Image via Shutterstock

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