Red Cross in need of blood donations during final weeks of summer

From American Red Cross:

Blood donations urgently needed in the final weeks of summer

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 9, 2016) —The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.

The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.

Two summers ago, Kelly Griswold was involved in a life-threatening jet-ski accident while vacationing. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Griswold, a blood donor prior to the accident, suddenly knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of blood donations. “Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Aug. 16-31:

American Red Cross Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
Monday, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursday, 2 to 7 p.m.; first Saturday of the month, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Buncombe
Arden
8/25/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lowe’s 2201 Arden, 19 McKenna Road

Asheville
8/18/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St.
8/24/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., StoneCreek, 455 Victoria Road
8/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Biltmore Church of Christ, 823 Fairview St.

Black Mountain
8/17/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center, 932 Old U.S. Highway 70

Candler
8/25/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Francis Asbury UMC Gym, 725 Asbury Road

Weaverville
8/17/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Weaverville Fire Department, 3 Monticello Road

Cherokee
Murphy
8/29/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church, 1650 North Carolina 141

Graham
Robbinsville
8/26/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Veteran’s Building, Moose Branch Road

Haywood
Canton
8/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., High Street Baptist Church, 73 High St.

Waynesville
8/18/2016: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., American Legion Post #47, 171 Legion Drive
8/24/2016: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Haywood Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 331 Walnut St.

Henderson
Hendersonville
8/30/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 204 6th Avenue West

Jackson
Cullowhee
8/25/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Western Carolina University- Health and Human Science Building, Highway 107
8/31/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Western Carolina University Hinds Univ Center, Highway 107

Macon
Franklin
8/26/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lowe’s 0717 Franklin, Georgia Highway
8/29/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Millie’s Used Books/Sheffield Bldg., 1781 Georgia Road

Madison
Marshall
8/30/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., AB Tech Madison, 4646 US Highway 25-70

McDowell
Marion
8/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Walmart 1694, 2875 Sugar Hill Road
8/25/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marion Moose Lodge, 999 Bill Cook Drive
8/31/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Marion Community Building, 99 North Main St.

Polk
Columbus
8/25/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Polk County American Red Cross Chapter, 231 Ward St.

Rutherford
Ellenboro
8/29/2016: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Race Path Baptist, 1171 Race Path Ch Road

Forest City
8/26/2016: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Lifestyle Wellness and Spa, 247 Oak St.
8/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Forest City Fire Dept, 186 S Church St.

Rutherfordton
8/31/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rutherford Regional Medical Center, 288 South Ridgecrest Ave.

Swain
Cherokee
8/18/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., EBCI Justice Center, 137 Seven Clans Lane
8/24/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., EBCI, 545 Tsali Blvd.

Transylvania
Cedar Mountain
8/20/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 8725 Cascade Lake Road

Yancey
Burnsville
8/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Higgins Memorial Methodist Church, 101 N. Main St.

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 (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.

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.

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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.