Holiday activities, severe weather and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can pull people away from their regular blood donation schedules. This creates a greater need for blood donations this time of year, especially around the winter holidays. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 23, 2015, through Jan. 3, 2016, will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Jamie Czesak made her first blood donation on Dec. 27, 2013. “As I spent Christmas with my family, I realized how lucky I was to have my health and how we never really know when our last Christmas will be. I decided that I would face my fears and do one of the few things I can do to help save someone’s life, donate blood.”
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Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Felton
Dec. 18: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Highway 9
Santa Cruz
Dec. 26: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange #503, 1900 17th Ave
Dec. 31: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.
Watsonville
Dec. 28: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street