Blood donation opportunities ongoing in Albany, Leesburg

ALBANY — As a critical need for platelet donation remains, and severe weather in some parts of the country impacts blood supply, eligible blood donors are encouraged by the American Red Cross to give blood and help save lives.

In order to meet the constant need for blood, opportunities continue to present themselves in Southwest Georgia for people to roll up their sleeves, primarily in the Albany and Leesburg areas.

The blood drive opportunities include:

— Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road;

— March 23, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Albany State University East Campus, HPER Building;

— March 28, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road;

— March 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Chick-fil-A, 2703 Dawson Road;

— April 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church;

— April 6, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Leesburg United Methodist Church, 117 Starksville Ave. North, Leesburg;

— April 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Albany Mall;

— April 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 417 W. Third Ave.

The Red Cross has reported that severe winter weather in some parts of the country has resulted in the inference of collecting blood donations, and that a critical need is present for platelet donations.

For more information on the donation process or how to give, donors are encouraged to download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Red Cross officials said the blood donor app is meant to allow donors to schedule and manage donation appointments, access their donor card, track the impact of their donations and earn rewards.

Donors can also use a RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questions online at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass before coming to their appointments.

Officials said all blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements, Red Cross officials said.

The Red Cross officials said the organization supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood while also providing disaster relief services. It is a not-for-profit organization depending on volunteers and donations from the public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org (Spanish language), or follow @RedCross on Twitter.