American Red Cross
January has been designated National Blood Donor Month to raise awareness of blood donation during the time of year when blood supplies often fall to their lowest levels.
The American Red Cross reports that inclement weather over the past few days has resulted in more than 2,700 units of blood that could not be collected due to blood donation center closures, cancelled blood drives and the inability of donors to attend blood drives.
Donors are encouraged to donate as soon as weather and travel conditions permit. There is a special need for type O and type B blood donors.
You can give blood at one of the following blood drives:
• Thursday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Cleveland Community Blood Drive, 11745 Statesville Blvd. (IGA Parking Lot), Cleveland. For an appointment, call Linda Gregory 704-633-8984 or Elaine Hewett 704-278-0661.
• Thursday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rowan Regional Medical Center, 612 Mocksville Ave. For an appointment, call Nancy Allen at 704-210-5337.
• Friday, 3:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Unity United Methodist Church, 8505 Unity Church Road, Kannapolis. For an appointment, call Patty Greene at 704-857-3174.
• Sunday, Jan. 23, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Bethel Lutheran Church, 355 East Ridge Road. For an appointment, call the church at 704-636-0331.
• Sunday, Jan. 23, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Millbridge Ruritan, 340 Sloan Road. For an appointment, call Dave Kern at 704-637-9011.
• Sunday, Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 W. Rice Street, Landis. For an appointment, call Lesa Ellis at 704-857-7884.
• Monday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
China Grove Community Blood Drive, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 326 N. Main Street, China Grove. For an appointment, call the Red Cross office at 704-633-3854.
• Monday, Jan. 24, 2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul Church Road. Walk-ins welcome.
• Friday, Jan. 28, 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Granite Quarry Elementary, 118 S. Walnut St., Granite Quarry. For an appointment, call Patty Helms at 704-279-2154.
• Sunday, Jan. 30, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Salem Evangelical Lutheran, 5080 Sherrills Ford Road. For an appointment, call Penny Barger at 704-636-0352.
• • •
The blood drive schedule is subject to change.
“Although the winter weather has been challenging, the Red Cross is working diligently to meet the needs of patients in our hospitals,” commented Joyce H. Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We are counting on generous blood donors to make sure that the blood supply is at an adequate level to continue to meet patients’ needs.”
The American Red Cross Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year.
Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
To schedule an appointment or locate a nearby blood donation opportunity, please call 704-633-3854 or visit redcrossblood.org.