Where To Donate Blood This Month - October - in Santa Clara County

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during Liver Awareness Month this October.

According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 6,000 liver transplants are performed each year in the U.S., making it the second most common transplant. Liver transplant patients may require in excess of 30 pints of blood during surgery. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need of transfusions during surgery.

Donors with all blood types are currently needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. All those who attempt to donate blood during October will be eligible 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).

More information on liver disease and ways to help protect against liver disease is available at liverfoundation.org.

10/6/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., KIPP Collegiate School, 1790 Educational Park Dr., San Jose

10/6/2014: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church, 16970 DeWitt Ave., Morgan Hill

10/6/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/7/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 535 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale

10/7/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/8/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/9/2014: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave., Gilroy

10/9/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

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

10/11/2014: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Milpitas Public Library, 160 North Main St., Milpitas

10/11/2014: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Dwell Christian Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave., San Jose

10/11/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/13/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., SugarCRM, 10050 North Wolfe Road, Cupertino

10/13/2014: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/14/2014: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Chegg, 3990 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara

10/14/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

10/15/2014: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., West Valley College, Campus Center, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga

10/15/2014: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First St., San Jose

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

Information courtesy of Red Cross.