NOVEMBER 25, 2015
Give something that means something –
give blood or host a blood drive
The American Red Cross encourages individuals and organizations to give something that means something this winter by making a lifesaving blood donation or hosting a blood drive.
Blood donations often decline from now to New Year’s Day when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. Seasonal illnesses, such as colds and the flu, can also have a serious impact on blood donations
In addition, there are fewer blood drives during the winter months when many hosting organizations postpone drives while people are traveling for the holidays. Severe winter weather may also cause scheduled blood drives to be canceled.
Despite the busy holiday season and threat of extreme freezing weather, the need for blood remains steady. Organizations can help by hosting a blood drive during the winter months, and eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more about hosting a blood drive. 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:
Anthem
Dec. 15 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Anthem Community Center, 41130 N. Freedom Way
Casa Grande
Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. at Casa Grande Elks Lodge 1957, 909 E. Florence Blvd.
Chandler
Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Koinonia Mennonite Church, 2505 N. Dobson Road
Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 2240 W. Chandler Blvd.
Gilbert
Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MidFirst Bank, 2849 S. Market St.
Dec. 8 from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Liv Northgate, 455 S. Recker Road
Glendale
Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest, University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive
Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest, University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive
Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest, University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive
Mesa
Dec. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at ADESA/University of Phoenix, 1620 S. Stapley Drive, Suite #232
Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cardinale Way Mazda, 6343 E. Test Drive
Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop, 1133 N. Dobson Road
Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ford Motor Credit Company, 1335 S. Clearview Ave.
Phoenix
Dec. 1 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Arizona State University College of Health Solutions Council, 120 E. Taylor St.
Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Health Sciences Education Building, 435 N. 5th St.
Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Convergys Phoenix, 4611 E. Baseline Road I
Dec. 14 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Skyline Lofts Apartment Homes, 600 N. 4th St.
Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Family Insurance, 225 N. 45th St.
Scottsdale
Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Basis Scottsdale, 11440 N. 136th St.
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, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
