Earn A Target Gift Card When You Donate Blood In Santa Clara County

The American Red Cross is still in need of blood donations as the summer season winds down. Red Cross officials say they have been facing a “critical shortage”of donations the last few months. Those who donate by Aug. 31 will earn a free $5 Target e-gift card. The Red Cross says blood can be donated every 56 days.

Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.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 at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Santa Clara County through Aug. 31

Gilroy

• 8/17/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave
• 8/24/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave

Morgan Hill

• 8/25/2017: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centennial Recreation Center, 171 West Edmundson Ave

San Jose

• 8/17/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/18/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/19/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/21/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., SCVWD Admin Bldg, 5750 Almaden Expressway
• 8/22/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/23/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/23/2017: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Medical Office Building 275, 275 Hospital Parkway
• 8/24/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/25/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/26/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/26/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave
• 8/28/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/29/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Elks Lodge San Jose #522, 444 W Alma Ave.
• 8/29/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/29/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Seasons Market, 5667 Silver Creek Valley Rd
• 8/30/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street
• 8/31/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

Santa Clara

• 8/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Institute for Business & Technology, 2400 Walsh Ave

Sunnyvale

• 8/19/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, 750 E. Arques Ave.

Information on how to donate or volunteer courtesy Red Cross:

Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

How to help
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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

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