The American Red Cross invites donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets now to help keep the blood supply strong during National Blood Donor Month in January.
The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations.
Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.
As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who donate through January 26, will be entered for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX giveaway. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
The following area blood drives are scheduled this month:
•January 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 102.3 Proclaim FM, 7112 Angola Road, Holland
•January 20, from 1 to 7 p.m., at the Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo Appointments also can be scheduled to donate blood at the Red Cross Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway, Toledo.
Hours are Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood .org or call 1-800-733-2767.
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 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 age 18 years and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
