Give Thanks For Good Health By Donating Blood This Holiday Season

Last updated on Wednesday, November 8, 2017

(UNDATED) - The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.

Mike Healey's son was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds, and immediately needed blood. "I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then," he said. Though Healey's son spent his first 49 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he has thrived and is now a healthy, 10-year- old little league baseball player. "I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son."

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don't get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time - and more holidays - with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting or calling 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30:

Bartholomew County

Columbus

11/20/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street
11/21/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Henry Chiropractic Center, 2790 Brentwood Drive
11/28/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fair Oaks Mall, 2380 25th Street
11/30/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bartholomew County Library, 536 5th Street

Hope

11/20/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main Street

Lawrence County

Bedford

11/16/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 2202 M Street
11/27/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Leatherwood Christian Church, 3518 Leatherwood Road

Monroe County

Bloomington

11/16/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/16/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hutton Honors College, 811 East Seventh Street
11/17/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/18/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/22/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/24/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/25/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/29/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
11/29/2017: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Monroe, 1150 Clarizz Blvd
11/30/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.

Morgan County

Martinsville

11/19/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Christian Church Martinsville, 89 S Main Street

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, visit rdcrss.org/driver

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