Blood and platelet donations needed throughout holiday season
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
| 11/28/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 102 South Main St. | Adairsville |
| 11/29/2016: 12 – 5:30 p.m., Cartersville Civic Center, 435 West Main St. | Cartersville |
| 12/1/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Georgia Highlands College, 5441 Highway 20 | Cartersville |
| 12/2/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bartow County College and Career Academy, 738 Grassdale Road | Cartersville |
| 12/5/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 144 Essex St. | Cedartown |
| 12/9/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Excel Christian Academy, 325 Old Mill Road | Cartersville |
| 12/12/2016: 2 – 7 p.m., Crane Eater Community Church, 3168 Red Bud Road | Calhoun |
(Nov. 21, 2016) — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the perfect gift this holiday season – a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can help ensure patients continue to receive treatment throughout the holiday season.
Busy holiday schedules and travel plans make it more challenging for regular donors to give, and many businesses and organizations postpone hosting blood drives during the holiday season for these same reasons. This can lead to a decline in blood donations, but the need is constant.
“While many of us gather with friends and family this time of year, patients may spend the holidays in a hospital room,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment of the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “The need for blood doesn’t take a break for the holidays. Please make an appointment to give the most meaningful gift of all – the gift of life through a blood or platelet donation.”
To encourage donations around Thanksgiving, those who come to give blood or platelets from Nov. 24-28 will be emailed a set of recipes from celebrity chef partners Mario Batali, Rick Bayless, Richard Blais, David Burke, Mike Isabella and Ellie Krieger.
Power Red maximizes donations
Blood donors with type O, B negative and A negative blood can help more patients with one appointment by making a Power Red donation at select Red Cross blood donation centers and blood drives. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells – the most commonly transfused blood component. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently give to trauma and surgery patients. During a Power Red donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and plasma and platelets are then safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
“With just a little extra time at their appointment, donors can have an even greater impact on patients in need,” added Sedlock.