The American Red Cross is asking people to roll up their sleeves and give blood or platelets this Veterans Day weekend to honor those who have served their country.
In this area, the Red Cross Carolinas 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. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
The Red Cross will have the following opportunities for residents to help meet these needs.
• Sunday, Nov. 13, 1-5:30 p.m., Christiana Lutheran, 6190 Hwy. 52, Salisbury. Call Christy Litaker at 704-232-3706 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
• Monday, Nov. 14, noon-4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, E.H. Dole Office, 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. W. Call the Red Cross Office at 704-633-3854 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
• Monday, Nov. 14, 2:30-7 p.m., Franklin Baptist, 3810 Highway 601. Call Becky Holderfield at 704-637-1739 for more info or to schedule an appointment
“We hope people will join us over this Veterans Day weekend and during the remainder of the month of November,” said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “These blood drives will give donors the chance to help hospital patients who need blood, and at the same time, honor veterans and members of the military for their service.”
Potential blood donors must be 17 years of age, 16 with parental permission, meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and be in generally good health. People should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when they come to donate. Eligible donors can give whole blood every 56 days.
To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood or platelets, people can call the American Red Cross office at 704-633-3854.