Earn A Target Gift Card When You Donate Blood In Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County through Aug. 31:

Brentwood

• 8/25/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Streets of Brentwood, 2565 Sand Creek Road
• 8/29/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Movement Mortgage, 151 Sand Creek Road, G

Concord

• 8/18/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Diablo Rock Gym, 1220 Diamond Way
• 8/22/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., John Muir Health Mt Diablo Center, 2540 East Street

El Cerrito

• 8/30/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., City of El Cerrito, 7007 Moeser Lane

Hercules

• 8/29/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hercules Senior Center, 111 Civic Drive

Oakley

• 8/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Diamond Hills Sports Club & Spa, 1510 Neroly Rd

Orinda

• 8/19/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Mark's Church/Girl Scout drive, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way

Pleasant Hill

• 8/18/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/19/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/20/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/21/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/22/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/23/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/24/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/25/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/26/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/27/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/28/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/29/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/30/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane
• 8/31/2017: 12:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

San Pablo

• 8/28/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., San Pablo City Hall Building 4, 13831 San Pablo Avenue

San Ramon

• 8/24/2017: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Ramon Presbyterian Church, 12943 Alcosta Blvd

Walnut Creek

• 8/23/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Avalon Bay Walnut Creek, 1001 Harvey Drive #156

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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