Press release:
Red Cross encourages blood donations before holidays
Buncombe County, December 2015 – The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood before the holiday season is in full swing.
Blood donations often decline from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. This often causes a drop in the blood available for patients. Donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help offset this seasonal decline.
Blood donor Kathy Steckly Neuschwander’s father gave blood for years. She always saw him wear his pin when he reached his next gallon – about 12 gallons total. When he was diagnosed with leukemia, she and her family learned firsthand how important blood donations could be around the holidays.
Donors with all blood types are needed, and especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
ASHEVILLE BLOOD DONOR CENTER
100 Edgewood Road, Asheville
Please call 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule an appointment.
- Every Monday 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Every Tuesday 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Every Wednesday 7:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Every Thursday 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- December 24 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- December 31 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Saturday, December 7 7:30 am to 12:30 pm
Receive a $10 Neo Burrito Gift Certificate!
Community Blood Drives
Friday, December 4
Blue Ridge Pharmacy
948 Tunnel Road, Asheville
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Brad Melson at (828) 298-3636.Monday, December 7
North Buncombe Elementary School
251 Flat Creek Church Road, Weaverville
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the school at (828) 645-6054.Thursday, December 10
Black Mountain Community Blood Drive 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 Lisbet Chrisman at (828) 669-2725.Thursday, December 10
DoubleTree Hotel
115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Salem or Adrianna at (828) 274-1800.Friday, December 11
Woodland Hills Church
50 Woodland Hills Road, Asheville
10:00 am to 2:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the Church Office at (828) 658-2554.Friday, December 11
Asheville Marine League at the Asheville Outlets
800 Brevard Road, Asheville
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org.Monday, December 14
Trinity Baptist Church
216 Shelburne Road, Asheville
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Church Office at (828) 254-2187.Monday, December 14
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org.Tuesday, December 22
Mountain Credit Union
1453 Sand Hill Road, Candler
9:30 am to 2:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Julia McDonald at (828) 667-7245.Monday, December 28
Buncombe County Employees Blood Drive at the Administration Building
200 College Street, Asheville
10:00 am to 2:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org.Tuesday, December 29
Lowe’s 2634
24 North Ridge Commons Parkway, Weaverville
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Jill Gillespie at (828) 782-9020.Thursday, December 31
Gold’s Gym
1047 Patton Avenue, Asheville
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Katie Taneyhill at (828) 398-1430 or visit redcrossblood.org.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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