Contra Costa County Residents Urged to Donate Blood During National Preparedness Month

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood and platelets this fall to help restock the shelves following a significant summer shortage to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need.

Through the first two weeks of September, the Red Cross is down more than 10,000 donations from what is needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for emergencies large and small. Declines in donations can lead to blood shortages and make it difficult to meet patient needs should a disaster or emergency occur.

“September is National Preparedness Month and we urge eligible donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets,” said Neil Tosuntikool, donor recruitment director of the Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, a routine surgery, a traumatic accident or a large-scale disaster, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives. Red Cross blood and platelet donors play an important role in helping communities be prepared for all kinds of emergencies.”

Donors of all blood types are needed as blood products continue to be distributed to hospitals almost as quickly as donations come in. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Contra Costa County:

Antioch

• 10/7/2016: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., St. Ignatius Of Antioch, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd

Brentwood

• 9/23/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Streets of Brentwood, 2565 Sand Creek Road
• 10/10/2016: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., John Muir Brentwood, 2400 Balfour Road

Byron

• 9/28/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Anne Church, 2800 Camino Diablo Rd

Concord

• 10/8/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Coco Crossfit, 1220 Diamond Way #140
• 10/13/2016: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., California State University East Bay Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road

Danville

• 10/14/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road

El Sobrante

• 9/23/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam Road

Hercules

• 10/11/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hercules Senior Center, 111 Civic Drive

Lafayette

• 9/29/2016: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Road

Moraga

• 10/12/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., St. Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road

Pleasant Hill

• 9/20/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/21/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/22/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/23/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/24/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/27/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/28/2016: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sequoia Middle School, 265 Boyd Road
• 9/28/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 9/30/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/1/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/4/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/5/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/7/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/8/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/11/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/12/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/14/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 10/15/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

San Ramon

• 10/6/2016: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Bishop Ranch Br3, 2623 Camino Ramon, Bishop Ranch Building 3

Walnut Creek

• 9/30/2016: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road

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.

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.

Announcement submitted by Red Cross

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