Multiple opportunities to give blood in Southwest Georgia left this year

ALBANY — While engaged in holiday affairs, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to contribute to the gift of life by giving blood this December.

Alison Wissen, a wife and mother of three children, said she knows the power of blood donations. She received 22 units of blood products after experiencing complications during childbirth.

“I truly owe my life to blood donors,” she told the Red Cross. “Even the skilled hands of my surgeons could not have saved me without the blood.”

Red Cross officials said donations often decline in December, but the needs of patients remain steady. During the holiday season, officials are asking donors to set aside an hour to roll up their sleeves and give blood.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Albany and the surrounding area through the end of the year include:

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

— 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Friday, Albany-Dougherty County Government Building, 222 Pine Ave., Albany;

— noon-6 p.m., Dec. 19, First United Methodist Church, 107 W. 12th St.,Tifton;

— 3-7 p.m., Dec. 20, Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road, Albany;

— 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 21, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 417 W. Third Ave., Albany;

— noon-5 p.m., Dec. 21, Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, Albany;

— 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 22, Chick-fil-A, 1202 Highway 19 South, Leesburg;

— 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 22, Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road, Albany;

— 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 22, Chick-fil-A, 2703 Dawson Road,Albany;

— 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 26, Tifton Mall, 458 N. Virginia Ave., Tifton;

— 2-6 p.m., Dec. 26, Albany Board of Realtors, 2325 Lake Park Drive, Albany;

— 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. Dec. 27, Phoebe Worth Medical Center, 807 S. Isabella St., Sylvester;

— 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Dec. 27, Tift Regional Medical Center, 901 E. 18th St., Tifton;

— 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 27, Powersports Plus, 3006 Kensington Court, Albany;

— 3-7 p.m., Dec. 28, Adel United Methodist Church, 214 S. Hutchinson Ave., Adel;

— 3-7 p.m., Dec. 29, Margaret Jones Library, 205 E. Pope St., Sylvester;

— noon-5 p.m., Dec. 29, Albany Mall, 2601 Dawson Road, Albany.

A spokeswoman with the Red Cross could not immediately be reached on Tuesday for an update on the current blood supply.

To encourage donations, Red Cross officials said all those who come to give blood or platelets from Dec. 21-Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required when checking in to donate blood.

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.

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