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Red Cross calls for blood donors as unique as the patients they help

Submitted

Thu, Jan 22nd 2015 01:55 pm

Editorial by the American Red Cross

In honor of Black History Month this February, and in the spirit of Dr. Charles Drew, an African-American surgeon who was the first medical director of the American Red Cross and a modern blood-banking pioneer, eligible donors as diverse as the patients who need their blood donations are encouraged to give blood to ensure a sufficient blood supply.

Blood from a donor with a similar ethnic background as that of the patient is less likely to cause complications, particularly for those patients whose chronic conditions require repeated transfusions. Sickle cell disease is one such chronic condition affecting as many as 100,000 people in the U.S.

Prior to transfusion, blood type and Rh factor are matched between donated blood and the patient in need. In some cases, additional red cell markers in donated blood must be matched, as well. These markers are best found in blood from donors of a similar ethnicity.

With seasonal flu and inclement winter weather preventing many regular donors from giving, the Red Cross urges healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood in the coming days and weeks. All blood types are currently needed to help maintain a diverse and sufficient blood supply, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

ERIE COUNTY

Amherst

  • Feb. 10: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Erie Community College North Campus, 6205 Main St.
  • Feb. 14: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Best Buy, 1585 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Buffalo

  • Feb. 1: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 2: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 3: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Medaille College Student Center, 18 Agassiz Circle
  • Feb. 3: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., UB-North Student Union, Student Union
  • Feb. 3: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 4: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 5: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 5: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Erie Community College City, 121 Ellicott St.
  • Feb. 6: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 7: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 8: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 9: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., UB-North Student Union, Student Union
  • Feb. 9: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 10: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 11: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., University at Buffalo North-Alfiero Center, Alfiero Center
  • Feb. 11: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 12: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 13: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 14: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)
  • Feb. 15: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Buffalo Blood Donation Center, 786 Delaware Ave., (donor room)

Cheektowaga

  • Feb. 4: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan, 1650 Walden Ave.

East Amherst

  • Feb. 1: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Starbucks, 9660 Transit Road

East Aurora

  • Feb. 3: 1-7 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

Elma

  • Feb. 12: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1230 Bowen Road

Getzville

  • Feb. 13: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 2640 North Forest Road

Hamburg

  • Feb. 2: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 3: 2-7 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 5: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 9: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 10: 2-7 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 12: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road
  • Feb. 12: 2-6:30 p.m., Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, 4999 McKinley Parkway
  • Feb. 14: 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Hamburg Blood Donation Center, 5161 Camp Road

Kenmore

  • Feb. 11: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., McAuley Residence, 1503 Military Road

Orchard Park

  • Feb. 8: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St John Vianney, 2950 Southwestern Blvd.
  • Feb. 9: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Erie Community College South Campus, 4140 Southwestern Blvd.

Sardinia

  • Feb. 4: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Sardinia Fire Hall, 12719 W. Schutt Road

Tonawanda

  • Feb. 6: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Medco Supply, 500 Fillmore Ave.
  • Feb. 7: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Dunkin Donuts, 2200 Sheridan Drive
  • Feb. 15: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Family Video, 1971 Colvin Blvd.

West Seneca

  • Feb. 4: noon-5:30 p.m., Vigilant Fire Department, 666 Main St.

Williamsville

  • Feb. 1: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 2: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 4: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 5: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 6: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 7: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 8: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 9: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 11: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 12: 12:15-6:45 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 13: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 14: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road
  • Feb. 14: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1424 Maple Road
  • Feb. 15: 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Transitown Blood Donation Center, 4267 Transit Road

NIAGARA COUNTY

Lewiston

  • Feb. 11: 1:30-6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St.

Lockport

  • Feb. 5: 2-7 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co. Inc., 5666 Transit Road
  • Feb. 10: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

Niagara Falls

  • Feb. 13: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Seneca Niagara Casino, 310 Fourth St.
  • Feb. 14: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive

North Tonawanda

  • Feb. 2: noon-6 p.m., Mid City Plaza Blood Donation Center, 301 Meadow Drive, Suite 81
  • Feb. 4: noon-6 p.m., Mid City Plaza Blood Donation Center, 301 Meadow Drive, Suite 81
  • Feb. 7: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Mid City Plaza Blood Donation Center, 301 Meadow Drive, Suite 81
  • Feb. 9: noon-6 p.m., Mid City Plaza Blood Donation Center, 301 Meadow Drive, Suite 81
  • Feb. 11: noon-6 p.m., Mid City Plaza Blood Donation Center, 301 Meadow Drive, Suite 81

How to donate blood

Download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visitredcrossblood.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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.

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, visit redcross.org or visit ARC on Twitter at @RedCross.

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