Red Cross encouraging blood donors to roll up sleeves

ALBANY — The American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to give blood over the next few weeks during National Volunteer Month in order to ensure a sufficient supply in the coming weeks.

Red Cross officials said donating blood is a simple way for those who are short on time to make a life-changing difference. Kay Whaley, when she was 9, she was in an accident and received multiple transfusions — inspiring her to become a blood donor.

“It takes about an hour of your time and could save the life of a friend, neighbor or even family member,” she said. “It doesn’t cost you anything and is the greatest gift you could give.”

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions, and that donors of all blood types are needed to help meet patient needs this spring.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in southwest Georgia include:

— Today, 2-6 p.m., Tifton Mall Find the Hero In You, 458 N. Virginia Ave., Tifton;

— Today, 2-6 p.m., MBCI, 1601 Rogers Road, Adel;

— Monday, 1-6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 402 S. Merrimac Drive, Fitzgerald;

— Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 15th Ave., Cordele;

— Thursday, noon-6 p.m., Colquitt County Community, First Baptist Church, 400 S. Main St., Moultrie;

— April 16, 3-7 p.m., Walmart Supercenter 952, 641 Veterans Parkway, Moultrie;

— April 16, 3-7 p.m., Pearson First Baptist Church, 401 Railroad St., Pearson;

— April 17, noon-6 p.m., Tifton United Methodist Church, 107 W. 12th St., Tifton;

— April 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2-6 p.m., Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 417 W. Third Ave., Albany;

— April 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Dougherty Comprehensive High School, 1800 Pearce Ave., Albany;

— April 20, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Tift Regional Medical Center, 901 E. 18th St., Tifton;

— April 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cook County High School, 9900 Hwy 37, Adel;

— April 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friendship Baptist Church, 400 Pine Ave., Albany;

— April 26, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Road, Albany;

— April 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Phoebe Worth Medical Center, 807 S. Isabella St., Sylvester;

— May 3, noon-5 p.m., Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church;

— May 3, 2-7 p.m., Nashville United Methodist Church, 304 S. Berrien St., Nashville.

Potential donors making an appointment or seeking more information can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All those who come to donate between Monday and May 13 will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

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. 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 by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at a blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass or use the Blood Donor App.

The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, teaches skills that save lives, provides international humanitarian aid and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity to perform its mission.

For more information on the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org or www.cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit Twitter at @RedCross. Restrictions apply on the gift card offer, for which more details are available at www.redcrossblood.org/lets-do-more.