American Red Cross urging people to give during National Blood Donor Month

ALBANY — The American Red Cross is encouraging people in the southwest Georgia area to help meet the urgent need for blood by resolving to roll up their sleeves during National Blood Donor Month.

Donating blood is a way to make an impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions, sometimes multiple times a week, until she underwent a liver transplant last January.

“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”

The role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Holiday schedules, weather conditions and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.

The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly. Red Cross officials said all those who come to donate by Sunday will get a special long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation through Jan. 30 include:

— Today, 2-7 p.m., Nashville United Methodist Church, 304 S. Berrien St., Nashville;

— Friday, 1-5 p.m., Oakland Library, 445 Oakland Parkway West, Leesburg;

— Monday, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road, Albany;

— Tuesday, 1-6 p.m., Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 15th Ave., Cordele;

— Jan. 10, noon-6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 409 First St. Southeast, Moultrie;

— Jan. 14, 2-6 p.m., Pruitt Health-Fitzgerald, 185 Bowens Mill Highway, Fitzgerald;

— Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., South Georgia Technical College, 402 North Midway Road, Cordele;

— Jan. 17, 2-7 p.m., Turner County Civic Center, 601 E. Madison St., Ashburn;

— Jan. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Lee County High School, One Trojan Way, Leesburg;

— Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Greater Second Mt. Olive Recreational Center, 805 E. Broad Ave., Albany

— Jan. 24, 2-7 p.m., Byne Memorial Baptist Church, 2832 Ledo Road, Albany;

— Jan. 25, noon-5 p.m., Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road, Albany;

— Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Albany Technical College, Building C, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany;

— Jan. 30, noon-4 p.m., Albany Board of Realtors, 2325 Lake Park Drive, Albany.

Potential donors can make an appointment to give blood by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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. Most healthy individuals who are 17 years of age, 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 and platelet donors can save time at their donation appointment by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.

Another way to support the Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver blood products to hospitals. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

Individuals can also help keep the blood supply strong in the new year by hosting a blood drive. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit redcrossblood.org/hostadrive.

For further information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or find @RedCross on Twitter.