From staff reports
The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the gift of life by donating blood during the holiday season to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and throughout the winter.
Blood donations often decline in Dec. but the needs of patients remain steady.
Knowing and appreciating the power of blood donations, Alison Wissen received 22 units of blood products after experiencing complications during childbirth.
“I truly owe my life to blood donors,” she said. “Even the skilled hands of my surgeons could not have saved me without the blood.”
Wissen will celebrate the holidays with her three children and husband because of blood and platelet donors.
The following opportunities to donate blood will be offered during the upcoming weeks:
- 12:30 p.m. 7 p.m., Dec. 22 at the Clarion Mall, 22631 Route 68.
- 12 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Dec. 26, First United Methodist Church, Lafayette and 234 Penn streets.
- 12:30 p.m. 5 p.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9870 Route 36 North.
- 1:30 p.m. 7 p.m., Callensburg-Licking Township Fire Department, 243 Jackson Street.
How to donate blood
Donors of all blood types are needed. Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) 733-2767.
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.