Blood need remains ongoing into holiday season
American Red Cross, OneBlood offering donation opportunities in Southwest Georgia
By Jennifer Parks
ALBANY — An active hurricane season combined with the upcoming winter season could create a “perfect storm” for a blood supply shortage.
The coldest months of the year are often slow for blood donations due to holiday-related activities and inclement weather. While there is not currently a “dire situation,” officials with the American Red Cross are looking ahead to what the holiday season might do to the supply.
“The need for blood is constant,” Kristen Stancil, external communications manager for the Red Cross Southern Blood Services region, said. “While the blood supply is sufficient right now, the American Red Cross needs 14,000 donations every day to maintain it. It’s the blood products on the shelves that help save lives when emergencies occur. Donated blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients.
“Winter is a challenging time for blood collections because many regular donors are unavailable due to vacations and holiday activities, and inclement weather can affect donors’ ability to give in the winter especially. However, the need for blood is constant and doesn’t take a break for the holidays or the weather. Blood is a perishable product with a shelf life of only 42 days, so the blood supply must constantly be replenished.”
Blood drives coming up in the Albany area through the Thanksgiving holiday include:
— Monday, 3-7 p.m., Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road, Albany
— Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 417 W. Third Ave., Albany
— Oct. 20, 1-6 p.m., True Vapor of Albany, 621 N. Westover Blvd., Suite E, Albany
— Oct. 20, 2:30-6:30 p.m., Albany Mall
— Oct. 24, 2-7 p.m., Lee County Elementary School, 314 Lovers Lane Road, Leesburg
— Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Albany State University, HPER Building, 504 College St., Albany
— Oct. 26, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road, Albany
— Nov. 2, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church
— Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Albany State University, West Student Center, 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany
Officials with OneBlood said they have been working with other organizations, including the Red Cross, to ship blood products to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. OneBlood has two donation opportunities in the coming weeks in Camilla, one from noon-5 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the DeSoto Trail Regional Library, 1450 E. Broad St., and another from 5-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Lake Pleasant Baptist Church, 5227 Stage Coach Road.
Stancil said eligible donors can make an appointment with the Red Cross to donate by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Information on how to give via OneBlood can be found at www.oneblood.org.
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