2 Chances To Give Blood In Galloway Area In November

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — When Mike Healey’s son was born prematurely, he weighed three pounds and immediately needed blood. After a blood transfusion, his son spent 49 days in neonatal intensive care, but is now a healthy, 10-year-old little league baseball player.

“I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son,” he told the American Red Cross. He also said he donated blood the next day, and has done so 56 times since then. However, the Red Cross warns the time of year is coming up when blood donations see a sharp decline.

Less people give blood from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day because they are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing life saving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the Red Cross.

Donors can give blood any time by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

A pair of opportunities to give blood locally are also coming up on the following days and times, at the following locations:

Nov. 20, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.: Zion Lutheran Church, 312 Philadelphia Avenue in Egg Harbor City;
Nov. 29, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.: Pomona Volunteer Fire Company, 225 West White Horse Pike in the Pomona section of Galloway Township.

From the Red Cross:

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 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.

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, contact contact Nancy Tobin at 215-451-4229 or nancy.tobin@redcross.org or visit rdcrss.org/driver.

Patch file photo