Press release:
Donors urged to help the American Red Cross maintain blood supply
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2016) – The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients by giving blood this February.
During the winter months, inclement winter weather and seasonal illnesses can keep regular donors from giving blood. Healthy donors of all blood types are needed to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in their own communities as well as areas where donors were unable to give due to severe winter weather. Individuals with types O, AB, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed.
Donor Loretta Brandon knows how important it is to have a readily available blood supply. Her late husband required transfusions from generous strangers multiple times for health conditions. She gives blood as often as she can. “Every time I give blood, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for all I have and for the fact that I can share with others,” she said.
Make an appointment to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in need this winter by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 16-29, 2016:
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
Asheville
2/24/2016: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St.
2/28/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St.Candler
2/22/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mountain Credit Union, 1453 Sand Hill RoadFairview
2/26/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Spring Mountain Community Club, 807 Old Fort RoadLeicester
2/22/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Newfound Baptist Church, 2605 New Leicester HighwayClay
Hayesville
2/26/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Truett Memorial Baptist Church, 21 Pass St.Graham
Robbinsville
2/25/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Veteran’s Building, Moose Branch RoadHaywood
Canton
2/25/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Evergreen Packaging, 34 Park St.Clyde
2/19/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Haywood County Health Department, 157 Paragon ParkwayHazelwood
2/23/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hazelwood Elementary School, 1111 Plott Creek RoadWaynesville
2/18/2016: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., American Legion Post #47, 171 Legion DriveHenderson
Flat Rock
2/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Bethel Wesleyan, 909 Tracy Grove RoadJackson
Cashiers
2/18/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cashiers Fire Department, 62 Plastic Plant RoadMcDowell
Marion
2/17/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Marion Community Building, 99 North Main St.Mitchell
Spruce Pine
2/22/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, 125 Tappan St.Rutherford
Cliffside
2/20/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Cliffside Masonic Lodge, Old Main St.Ellenboro
2/29/2016: 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Campfield Baptist Church, 369 Campfield Church RoadForest City
2/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Rutherford County Schools, 382 West Main St.
2/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s 1788, 184 Lowes Blvd.Spindale
2/16/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Isothermal Community College, Highway 74 WestSwain
Cherokee
2/17/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cherokee Indian Hospital, Hospital RoadTransylvania
Brevard
2/19/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., State Employee’s Credit Union, 2235 Asheville Highway.
2/21/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Brevard Wesleyan Church, 801 North Broad St.
2/29/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Brevard Community Church, 417 Morris RoadCedar Mountain
2/27/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 8725 Cascade Lake RoadYancey
Burnsville
2/16/2016: 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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