Red Cross: Students Offered Chance to Win College Scholarship

Information courtesy of the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross reminds eligible donors that it’s never too late – or too early – to make blood donation a lifelong habit.

Many blood donors report making their first blood donation while in high school. High school and college students account for about 20 percent of all blood donations to the Red Cross. Individuals can begin donating at 16 years old and continue to donate as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Blood donations often decline during the winter holidays when school is not in session. The Red Cross is offering 16- to 24-year-old students currently enrolled in school a way to help overcome this seasonal decline and have a chance to win a college scholarship.

Students who sponsor a successful blood drive between Dec. 15, 2014, and Jan. 15, 2015, through the Leaders Save Lives program will be entered to win a college scholarship and will receive a gift card. More information is available at redcrossblood.org/leaderssavelives.

Donors are needed year-round, particularly those with types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. Those who attempt to donate in October will be entered to win a $5,000 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

To make an appointment to donate blood, eligible donors are encouraged to download the new Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming Bay Area blood donation opportunities in Santa Clara County

Los Altos

10/17/2014: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1715 Grant Rd.

Los Gatos

10/24/2014: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Addison Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Rd.

Milpitas

10/21/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Irvine Company, 690 McCarthy Blvd

Morgan Hill

10/22/2014: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Anritsu Company, 490 Jarvis Dr.

Mountain View

10/24/2014: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., MobileIron, 415 East Middlefield Rd.

San Jose

10/16/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/16/2014: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Casino M8trix, 1887 Matrix Blvd

10/17/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/18/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/20/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/21/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/22/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/23/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/24/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/25/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/25/2014: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 5151 Carter Ave.

10/25/2014: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Zombie Mobb MC, 1551 Parkmoor Ave.

10/27/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/28/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/29/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/30/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

10/31/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St.

Santa Clara

10/18/2014: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Illusive Comics & Games, 2725 El Camino Real suite 105

10/21/2014: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Santa Clara University, Benson Hall, 500 El Camino Real

10/22/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission College, Main Building, 3000 Mission College Blvd

10/23/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission College, Main Building, 3000 Mission College Blvd

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitredcrossblood.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.

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