Red Cross Needs Blood Donations to Prevent Winter Shortage

The American Red Cross needs blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage this winter. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Neil Tosuntikool, donor recruitment director for the Red Cross NorCal Blood Services Region said, “We encourage our generous donors … to help ensure blood products continue to be available for patients. Every two seconds a patient in the U.S. needs blood.”

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Santa Cruz

Jan 20: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street
Jan 22: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Staff Of Life Natural Foods Market, 1266 Soquel Ave.

Scotts Valley

Jan 23: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Gate Way Bible Church, 5000 Granite Creek Rd

Watsonville

Jan 25: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street

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How to donate blood

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 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, from a home or work computer 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. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.