Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations– over and above expectations–each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs.
Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets.
Those who donate blood between October 21 and November 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice. They also will be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three winners, one chosen at random each week. Details are available at Red CrossBlood. org/Lunch. A blood drive is set for Wednesday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 102.3 Proclaim FM, 7112 Angola Road, Holland.
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.
