Blood donations needed following inclement weather

ALBANY — In times of crisis similar to what Southwest Georgia has been experiencing in the last month, a need that often becomes more apparent is blood donations.

During a time of critical need, there are opportunities in the Albany area to roll up some sleeves and give the gift of life.

The American Red Cross said inclement weather that has canceled hundreds of blood drives in nearly 30 states since Dec. 1 has led to a critical shortage, prompting officials to urge eligible blood and platelet donors to help restock the thousands of donations that have since gone uncollected.

Opportunities to donate blood in Albany during the coming weeks include:

— 10 a.m.-2 p.m, Feb. 3, Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road

— 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 8, Albany State University West Campus, 2400 Gillionville Road

— 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 16, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 417 W. Third Ave.

— 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Feb. 23, Westover High School, 2600 Partridge Lane

— 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 28, Porterfield Memorial United Methodist

To make arrangements to donate, or for more information on how to help, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All blood types are needed. A blood donor card, driver’s license and two other forms of identification are required when checking in.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 17 and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. The Red Cross has a RapidPass system allowing for the completion of a pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online prior to arriving at the donation site.

For more information, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.