NFL great Peyton Manning encourages public to join Red Cross team

ALBANY — This January, the American Red Cross and Pro Football Hall of Famer and blood donor Peyton Manning are asking people to score big for patients in need — while getting a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona — by giving blood.

The start of the new year marks National Blood Donor Month — a time to celebrate those who generously roll up a sleeve to keep blood products stocked for hospitals providing critical care. As the busy holiday season winds down and the threat of severe winter weather and seasonal illness cases continue to rise, January can be a tough time for donors to make and keep appointments.

Step off the sidelines and resolve to donate blood. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. In partnership with the National Football League, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31 will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.

To lead the offense against a potential winter blood shortage, Manning invites the public to join him in helping save lives.

“If everyone does their part and we collectively commit to donating blood, we can stack up more wins for hospital patients who are counting on us,” he said. “A single individual is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 10-31:

Albany

1/12: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., The Phoenix at Albany, 1721 Beattie Road

1/13: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dougherty County Community, 2601 Dawson Road

1/15: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St Teresa’s Catholic Church, 417 Edgewood Lane

1/25: 3-7 p.m., First United Methodist Albany, 307 Flint Ave.

1/26: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dougherty County Community, 2601 Dawson Road

Moultrie

1/12: 1-5 p.m., First United Methodist Moultrie, 409 First St. Southeast

Cordele

1/10: 1-6 p.m., Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 15th Ave.

Tifton

1/16: 3-7 p.m., Northside Baptist Church of Tifton, 4605 Murray Ave.

1/17: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Tifton Methodist Church, 107 West 12th St.

1/24: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., ABAC/John Hunt Town center, 2802 Moore Highway

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.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers also can serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.