Press release from The American Red Cross:
Buncombe County (Jan. 6, 2020) — The American Red Cross currently has a critical need for blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help replenish the blood supply after the holiday weeks. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O blood. To help tackle the critical need, the Red Cross and NFL are working together to offer one lucky winner a trip to Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
During the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, about 500 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs. Many groups postpone blood drives during the winter holidays when travel and holiday activities may make it challenging for many donors to give. In fact, AAA estimated that a record 115.6 million Americans traveled during the holiday period of Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.
“Lifesaving medical treatments and emergencies never take a holiday,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Declines in donations can affect patient care. That’s why the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment to give now and help those sidelined by illness and trauma.”
Donors are urged to make an appointment to give now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a special thank-you, those who come to give blood Jan. 1-19, 2020, will automatically be entered for a chance to experience the Super Bowl live. The Red Cross and NFL have teamed up to offer one winner two tickets to Super Bowl LIV, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, tickets to Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, round-trip airfare to Miami, three-night hotel accommodations at The Alexander® – All Suite Oceanfront Resort (Jan. 31 to Feb. 3), and a $500 gift card for expenses.* Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
“The Red Cross appreciates the NFL’s support during this crucial time of year when every donation – and every donor – matters. We hope this may inspire some to make regular blood donation one of their New Year’s resolutions,” said Sullivan.
Who blood donations help
This fall, 13-year-old Josh Roy and his family learned the importance of blood donations firsthand. In October, Josh contracted a severe case of influenza B and necrotizing staph pneumonia. He was transported to the hospital, was put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine that circulates blood through an artificial lung and eventually needed a tracheostomy tube. Josh has received multiple blood transfusions during his treatment.
“You never know when someone you love might end up needing a blood transfusion,” said Jaqueline Bakehorn, Josh’s aunt. “We are so thankful for those who have given blood and would love to see more people donate.”
Josh is still hospitalized but is making slow, gradual progress. He faces a long road to recovery and may need additional blood transfusions along the way.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Tuesday, January 7
Buncombe County Employees at Health and Human Services
35 Woodfin Street, Asheville
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Christa Lance at (828) 250-4001.
Tuesday, January 7
Lowe’s
19 McKenna Road, Arden
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Wednesday, January 8
Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center
932 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain
11:30 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Brenda Franklin at (828) 259-6908 ext. 146.
Wednesday, January 8
Buncombe County Health and Human Services
40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Christa Lance at (828) 250-4001.
Thursday, January 9
Comfort Suites Outlet Center
890 Brevard Road, Asheville
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Tracey Wolf at (828) 418-1178.
Friday, January 10
Black Mountain Fire Department
106 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
10:30 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 828-803-2884 or visit redcrossblood.org
Tuesday, January 14
Lowe’s
89 South Tunnel Road, Asheville
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 828-803-2884 or visit redcrossblood.org
Thursday, January 16
Black Mountain Community at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
1:30 pm to 6:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the church at (828) 669-2725.
Tuesday, January 21
Beverly Hills Baptist Church
777 Tunnel Road, Asheville
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Janice Capps at (828) 776-8699.
Thursday, January 23
Wal-mart
146 Monticello Road, Weaverville
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Friday, January 24
Avery’s Creek Elementary School
15 Park South Boulevard, Arden
8:00 am to 12:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Friday, January 24
Neil Dobbins Center
356 Biltmore Avenue, Suite 150, Asheville
12:30 pm to 5:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Rachel Hergenrother at (828) 407-4567 .
Monday, January 27
Newbridge Baptist Church
199 Elkwood Avenue, Asheville
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Allen Pounders at (828) 775-9840.
Monday, January 27
Living Savior Lutheran Church
301 Overlook Road, Asheville
1:00 to 5:00
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the church at (828) 650-0404.
Thursday, January 30
UNC Asheville
Highsmith Student Center
1 University Heights, Asheville
10:30 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 828-803-2884 or visit redcrossblood.org
Friday, January 31
Hominy Valley Elementary School
450 Enka Lake Road, Candler
11:30 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Tuesday, February 4
Charles George V.A. Medical Center
1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville
7:00am to 3:00pm
Please call to 828-298-7911 ext 4117 for an appointment.
Saturday, February 15
Blue Ridge Taekwondo
1298 Tunnel Road, Asheville
2:30 to 7:00
Please call 919 368-0350 for an appointment.
Wednesday, February 19
10th Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive at First Baptist Church.
First Baptist Church 5 Oak Street Asheville NC 28801
Go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code avlbattleofbadges to schedule appointment or Call 1-800Redcross to make an appointment.
Monday, February 24
Evergreen Charter School
50 Bell Road, Asheville
8:00 to 1:00
Please call the school at 298-2173 Ex.1214 to schedule your appointment.
Wednesday, February 26
Asheville YMCA
30 Woodfin Street Downtown Asheville
8:30 to 1:00
Please call 828803-2884 for an appointment.
Thursday, February 27
The Rotary Club of Asheville
Trinity Episcopal Church – Fellowship Hall
60 Church Street Downtown Asheville
11:00 to 3:3:30
Pease email Carmen Cabrera at Carmen@mastgeneralstore.com or call 828-712-0309 to schedule your appointment.
How to donate blood
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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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