From press release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 18, 2014) — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply by giving blood in honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that causes red blood cells to form an abnormal crescent shape. It is estimated that sickle cell disease affects as many as 100,000 people in the U.S. Many of these patients face a lifetime of blood transfusions to help reduce the risk of stroke, damage to major organs and other complications that can arise as a result of sickle cell disease.
Since blood from donors of the same ethnic background as the recipient is less likely to cause complications, the Red Cross must maintain a diverse blood supply. This is particularly important for patients like those with sickle cell disease who may require regular blood transfusions.
To help increase donations during the month of September, those who come out to donate blood or platelets throughout the month will receive a coupon by email for a free haircut at participating Sport Clips locations.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities by county, Sept. 2 – 15:
Avery
Linville
Sept. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cannon Memorial Hospital, 434 Hospital Drive Sloop Medical Office Plaza Oak Room
Buncombe
Asheville
Sept. 4 from noon – 4:30 p.m. at Genova Diagnostics, 63 Zillicoa St.
Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Myers Motorcycles, 1125 Sweeten Creek Road
Sept. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St.
Sept. 12 from noon – 4:30 p.m. at Genova Diagnostics-Nettlewood, 84 Peachtree Drive, Suite 200
Sept. 15 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Mount Carmel Baptist Church Family Ministry Building, 201 Mount Carmel Road
Fairview
Sept. 12 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Spring Mountain Community Club, 807 Old Fort Road
Swannanoa
Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Harley Davidson of Asheville, 2130 U.S. 70 Highway
Weaverville
Sept. 14 from noon – 4:30 p.m. at Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Building, 85 N. Main St.
Clay
Hayesville
Sept. 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd, Highway 64 West
Haywood
Canton
Sept. 8 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Center Pigeon Fire Dept., 2412 Pisgah Drive Highway 110
Maggie Valley
Sept. 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Maggie Valley United Methodist Church, 4192 Soco Road
Waynesville
Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way
Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Haywood Lodge and Retirement Center, 251 Shelton St.
Henderson
Hendersonville
Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hunter Auto Group, 2520 Asheville Highway
Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 203 2nd Ave. East
Jackson
Sylva
Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MedWest Harris, 68 Hospital Drive
Macon
Franklin
Sept. 5 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Angel Medical Center, 120 Riverview St.
McDowell
Marion
Sept. 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Walmart 1694, 2875 Sugar Hill Road
Mitchell
Spruce Pine
Sept. 9 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, 125 Hospital Drive
Polk
Tryon
Sept. 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Polk Community, First Baptist Church 125 Pacolet St.
Rutherford
Forest City
Sept. 4 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Crestview Baptist Church, 630 S. Church St.
Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Florence Baptist Church, 201 S. Broadway St.
Lake Lure
Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mountains Branch Library, 150 Bills Creek Road
Transylvania
Brevard
Sept. 8 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Brevard Municipal Building, 95 W. Main St.
Cedar Mountain
Sept. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 8725 Cascade Lake Road
Pisgah Forest
Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Schenck Job Corps, 98 Schenck Drive
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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 visit us on Twitter at@RedCross.
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