Community Corner

Upcoming Blood Drives in Oakland and Nearby

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment.

Announcement submitted by Red Cross:

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

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Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.

Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.

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“I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage,” she said. “I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood.”

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative To make an appointment to donate blood, download the 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).

American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in Alameda County:

Fremont /Newark Blood Donation Center

39227 Cedar Blvd., Newark

Friday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Oakland Blood Donation Center

6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland

Tuesday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Pleasanton Blood Donation Center

5556-B Springdale Ave., Pleasanton

Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Additional blood donation opportunities:

Berkeley

10/27/2015: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., UC Berkeley, 1 Alumni House

10/27/2015: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., UC Berkeley, 2537 Haste St.

Fremont

10/26/2015: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd.

Hayward

10/28/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joachim’s Church, 21250 Hesperian Blvd.

Livermore

10/28/2015: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Livermore, 1052 S. Livermore Ave.

Oakland

10/31/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Impact Hub, 2323 Broadway

Pleasanton

10/24/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Elizabeth’s Seton Church, 4005 Stoneridge Dr.

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.

Photo via Shutterstock

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