American Red Cross - URGENT Donors Needed through 1/7/18

News Release
Media contact: Alissa Haight Aguda;860-406-0346; alissa.haightaguda@redcross.org redcrossblood.org
Give blood now, help save lives by next month
Donors of all blood types urged to give blood, platelets this holiday season
Manchester, CT (Dec.27, 2017) — The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more
life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood.
Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy
holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may
be canceled due to severe winter storms. Last year, nearly 64,000 fewer blood and platelet
donations were given through the Red Cross during the seven weeks from Thanksgiving
through the first week of January than the average during the rest of the year.
“By taking just about an hour of time today, you can help save someone’s life within a few
weeks or even days of your donation,” said Alissa Haight Aguda of the Red Cross Connecticut Blood
Services Region. “We’re asking donors to give now to help ensure blood is available when
patients need it most.”
Blood is perishable and can only be replenished by volunteer donors. Red blood cells, the most
transfused blood product, must be transfused within 42 days. Platelets, the tiny cells that form
clots and help stop bleeding, must be transfused within just five days. More than half of all
platelet donations go to cancer patients who may need platelet transfusions to prevent lifethreatening
bleeding during chemotherapy.
“Platelet donors don’t have to wait a few weeks to make a difference in a patient’s life,” said
Aguda. “Someone could donate platelets on Monday, and by Friday, those same platelets
can help someone’s fight to kick cancer.”
Kelly Ellison certainly knows that. Twenty-eight weeks into her third pregnancy, she was raced
to the hospital with uncontrollable bleeding and received a doubly devastating diagnosis. Not
only did she have aplastic anemia – a rare blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow
does not produce enough new blood cells – doctors also detected kidney cancer. Kelly received
43 units of blood and platelets. Five weeks later, she gave birth prematurely to her son, who
also needed blood transfusions to survive.
“Our lives have been forever changed because of lifesaving blood and platelet donations,” said
Ellison. “Every breath I take is a blessing!”
All blood types are needed this winter. Platelet donations are especially encouraged the first
week of the new year, which is among the most difficult to collect enough platelets to meet
patient needs. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red
Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-
2767).
2017-APL-02329
As a special thank-you for taking the time to donate, those who come to give Dec. 21 through
Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Thursday, 12/28/2017 (1pm-6pm) at...

Church of Latter Day Saints

2 Maple Street Ellington CT 06029

Friday 12/29/2017 (11am-4:30pm) at...

Baymont Inn & Suites Manchester

20 Taylor Street Manchester CT 06040

Friday 12/29/2017 (10am-3pm) at...

Asnuntuck Community College - Gym

170 Elm Street Enfield CT 0682

Friday 12/29/2017 (11am-4pm) at...

Northeast School Vernon, Gym-

69 East Street Vernon Rockville 06066

Wednesday 1/3/2018 (1:30pm-6:30pm) at...

South Windsor Library- Friends Room

1550 Sullivan Avenue South Windsor 06074

Friday 1/5/2018 (1pm-6pm) at...

Hazardville Fire Department

385 Hazard Avenue Enfield 06082

Saturday 1/6/2018 (8am-1pm) at...

Saturday South Windsor High School -Cafeteria

161 Nevers Road South Windsor 06074

How to donate blood or platelets
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 and platelet donors can 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,
from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit
redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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