Red Cross Seeking Blood Donations In January

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — January would be a good month to donate blood. That's is what the American Red Cross is encouraging people to do to help meet the urgent need for blood this month, which is National Blood Donor Month. The organization said donating blood is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016.

Janssen received frequent blood transfusions — sometimes multiple times a week — until she underwent a liver transplant last January, according to a spokesperson.

“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”

The critical role of blood donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.

The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood or platelets regularly, beginning in January, including many places in the Hudson Valley. To encourage donations immediately, all those who come to donate by Jan. 6 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

All donors who give blood or platelets during National Blood Donor Month in January at Red Cross blood drives in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island will receive a $5 Dunkin’ Gift Card via email as a thank you for helping save lives during National Blood Donor Month. A valid email address must be on file at the time of donation. The Dunkin' Gift Card is subject to complete terms and conditions, which can be found here.

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong in the new year is to host a Red Cross blood drive. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, go here.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 2-31:

Orange

Chester

1/2/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Suburban Propane Chester, 1939 Kings Highway

Middletown

1/2/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Orange Regional Medical Center, 707 East Main Street

New Windsor

1/27/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sacred Heart School, 148 Windsor Highway

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Rockland

Nanuet

1/14/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Centers Health Care, 199 N. Middletown Road

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Sullivan

Harris

1/9/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Catskill Regional Medical Center, Bushville Road

Jeffersonville

1/2/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Callicoon Community- First Presbyterian Church, 4907 NY-52

Livingston Manor

1/29/2019: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Livingston Manor Central School gym, 19 School Street

Monticello

1/17/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Monticello Firehouse, 23 Richardson Avenue

Wurtsboro

1/4/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph’s Church, 180 Sullivan Street

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Westchester

Briarcliff Manor

1/2/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Briarcliff Manor Recreation Department, 5 Van Lu Van Drive

Elmsford

1/3/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Greenburgh Public Library, 300 Tarrytown Road

Mount Kisco

1/3/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Diplomat Towers, 200 Diplomat Drive

Mount Vernon

1/4/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Beulah SDA Church, 410 South 9th Avenue

New Rochelle

1/17/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Rochelle Public Library, One Library Plaza, Lawton Street

1/21/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., New Rochelle Fire Department, 45 Harrison Street

1/26/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., New Rochelle Toyota, 47 Cedar Street

North Salem

1/18/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Salem High School, 230 June Road

Peekskill

1/31/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Jeannette J. Phillips Health Center of Peekskill, 1037 Main Street

White Plains

1/18/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway

1/30/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., 15 Bank Apartments, 15 Bank Street

Yonkers

1/22/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Alamo Drafthouse, 2548 Central Park Avenue

Yorktown Heights

1/5/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson Valley Mall, 650 Lee Boulevard

1/30/2019: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Patrick's School, 117 Moseman Road

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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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.