Give thanks for good health by donating blood this holiday season

red cross
The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.
Mike Healey’s son was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds, and immediately needed blood. “I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then,” he said. Though Healey’s son spent his first 49 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he has thrived and is now a healthy, 10-year-old little league baseball player. “I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son.”
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood 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 Nov. 16-30
Gila
Globe
11/28/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Christian Church Globe, 401 South Broad Street
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Maricopa
Chandler
11/20/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chandler Gilbert Family YMCA, 1655 W Frye Rd.
11/28/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kovach Construction, 3195 W. Armstrong Place
Goodyear
11/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Estrella Mountain Church, 10485 S. Estrella Parkway
Mesa
11/16/2017: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Basis Mesa, 5010 S Eastmark Parkway
11/18/2017: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Crossfit Veer, 7415 E Southern Ave
11/21/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Walgreens, 1935 N Power Road
11/22/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Dignity Health Arizona General, 1833 N Power Rd
11/27/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Red Mountain Library, 635 N Power Rd
11/29/2017: 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Imagine East Mesa, 9701 E Southern Ave
11/29/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ADESA, 1620 S. Stapley Drive, Suite #232
Paradise Valley
11/28/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Paradise Valley Police Dept Town Hall, 6401 East Lincoln Drive
Phoenix
11/17/2017: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., PHI Air Medical, 2800 N. 44th Street, Suite 125
11/21/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4600 Washington Building, 4600 E. Washington, 3rd Floor
11/24/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Castles n Coasters, 9445 Metro Pkwy. East
11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Alta Fillmore, 601 West Fillmore Street
11/26/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Airport, 2621 South 47th Street
Scottsdale
11/19/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Temple KOL AMI, 15030 N. 64th Street
11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Scottsdale Promenade, 16427 N Scottsdale Rd
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Pinal
Apache Junction
11/26/2017: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Planet Fitness, 3003 W Apache Trail Suite 1
Eloy
11/21/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Travel Centers of America, 2949 South Toltec Rd.
Maricopa
11/30/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., State Farm Insurance Company, 20800 N. John Wayne Pkwy, Suite 110
San Tan Valley
11/18/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lakeview Recreation and Pool, Johnson Ranch Blvd and Golf Club Drive
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 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.