Red Cross asks for blood donations during holidays
The American Red Cross is asking people preparing for the holiday season to carve out a few minutes to donate blood or platelets for patients waiting for care.
Several factors can disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood and platelets for patients, including donor travel, seasonal illness and winter storms, according to a news release from the Red Cross.
All donors are asked to give before the end of the year, particularly those with type O blood and those who donate platelets.
The Red Cross will thank all donors who give blood or platelets by Dec. 15 with a $10 Amazon gift card and those who donate between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in when donating.
To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.
