Give Blood with The Red Cross
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood and help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in the New Year, beginning in January with National Blood Donor Month.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. Severe winter weather may result in canceled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can cause donors to be temporarily unable to give.
Blood donors of all types are needed. Those with type O, B negative and A negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation, where available. During a Power Red donation, a concentrated dose of red blood cells is collected during a single donation, while most of the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Donation opportunities for Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz:
Tuesday Jan 17: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street- Saturday Jan 21: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Santa Cruz Fire Station No. 1, 711 Center St.
- Thursday Jan 26: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., County of Santa Cruz, Health Services Agency and Public Health Dept., 1080 Emeline Ave., Building D
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
The American 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 of the American public to perform its mission.
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For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.