Add Blood to Your Holiday Gift Giving

It can’t be wrapped or placed under a tree, but the perfect gift can help save patient lives this holiday season. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the lifesaving gift of a blood donation in December, a time when donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady.

There are seven upcoming opportunities across the Hudson Valley.

Donors of all blood types are needed now to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 22 through Jan. 8 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Putnam: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dec. 22, Putnam Hospital, 670 Stoneleigh Ave., Carmel

Rockland: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 28, Rose Memorial Library, 79 East Main St., Stony Point

Sullivan: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dec. 28, Catskill Regional Medical Center, 68 Harris Bushville Road, Harris

Westchester

• 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Dec. 16, White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway, White Plains
• 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Dec. 27, Carver Center, 400 Westchester Ave. Port Chester
• 12/28/2016: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 28, Strive Forward, 5 Hudson St., Yonkers
• 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29, Mt. Vernon Ultimate Auto Body, 304 East 3rd St., Mount Vernon

It's easier than ever.

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.

Image via Red Cross