This November, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give the perfect gift – a blood donation – to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout the holiday season.
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with family gatherings and travel; however, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Timothy Sheely’s wife received 12 units of blood products during emergency surgery after the birth of their son. “If it had not been for blood donors, she may not have survived that ordeal, but thanks to generous blood donors, I still have a wife and my kids still have their Mom,” he said. “I can’t possibly thank those people in person, but I can give a little piece of me back with each donation for the greater good. Thanks to those who are able to donate and choose to donate!”
The Red Cross encourages donors to start a new holiday tradition and bring family and friends together to donate blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types are needed to give this November to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. As a thank you for donating around the Thanksgiving holiday, all those who come to donate Nov. 24-28 will be invited to download a set of recipes from celebrity chefs.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center:
Liverpool Blood Donation Center
7359 Oswego Rd.
Liverpool, NY 13090
Monday & Wednesday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Thursday-Sunday: 7:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cayuga
Auburn
11/17/2016: 11:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Auburn United Methodist Church, 99 South Street
11/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Finger Lakes Mall, Routes 5 and 20, 1579 Clark Street Road
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Cortland
Cortland
11/17/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cortlandville Fire Department, 999 State Route 13
11/18/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Cortland Regional Medical Center, 134 Homer Avenue
11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St Mary's Church, 44 North Main Street
11/21/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cortland YMCA, 22 Tompkins Street
11/23/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Port Watson Mini Conference Center, 131 Port Watson Street
Homer
11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 16 Cayuga Street
Marathon
11/22/2016: 8:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Marathon High School, 12 E. Main Street
McGraw
11/17/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., McGraw High School, 10 W. Academy Street
Madison
Hamilton
11/30/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hamilton High School, West Kendrick Avenue
Morrisville
11/16/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Morrisville High School, 5061 Fearnon Road
11/16/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Morrisville College STUAC Bldg, 80 Eaton Street
Onondaga
Cicero
11/21/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Post 787, 5575 Legionnaire Drive
Clay
11/29/2016: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 8396 Morgan Road
East Syracuse
11/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Berkshire Bank, 6611 Manlius Center
Jordan
11/26/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Jordan United Methodist Church, 63 Elbridge Street
Liverpool
11/23/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., North Area YMCA, 4775 Wetzel Road
Manlius
11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., First Baptist Church, 408 Pleasant Street
Marcellus
11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Marcellus United Methodist Church, 1 Slocombe Avenue
Skaneateles
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11/18/2016: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Borodino Fire Department, 2500 Nunnery Road
Syracuse
11/17/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., SU Schine Student Center, Waverly Avenue
11/18/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., St Josephs Hospital and Health Center, 301 Prospect
Avenue
11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Destiny USA, 1 Carousel Center Drive
11/20/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St Anns School, 4471 Onondaga Boulevard
11/21/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Curtin Special Events Room Campus Center, 1419 Saltsprings
Road
11/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lowes, 131 Simon Drive
11/28/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Syracuse University, White Hall
Oswego
Central Square
11/28/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 915, 3301 Fulton Avenue
Hannibal
11/18/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Fairley Elementary school, 953 Auburn Street
New Haven
11/21/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Haven Community Alliance Church, 4175 State Route 104
Oswego
11/16/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Oswego Elks Lodge 271, 132 W 5th St
11/19/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowes, 445 State Route 104
11/30/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., State University of New York Oswego, 217 Hewitt Union
Parish
11/26/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Parish Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated, 16 Union Street
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.