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Red Cross, Peyton Manning huddle up for a lifesaving play this January

Submitted

Mon, Jan 9th 2023 02:20 pm

Those who come to give blood or platelets during National Blood Donor Month will be entered to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII

Submitted by the American Red Cross

This January, the American Red Cross and Pro Football Hall of Famer and blood donor Peyton Manning are asking people to score big for patients in need – while getting a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona – by giving blood or platelets.

The start of the new year marks National Blood Donor Month – a time to celebrate those who generously roll up a sleeve to keep blood products stocked for hospitals providing critical care. As the busy holiday season winds down and the threat of severe winter weather and seasonal illness cases continue to rise, January can be a tough time for donors to make and keep appointments.

Step off the sidelines and resolve to donate blood or platelets. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross blood donor app, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

In partnership with the National Football League (NFL), those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31 will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13), plus a $500 gift card for expenses. Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.

To lead the offense against a potential winter blood shortage, Manning invites the public to join him in helping save lives: “If everyone does their part and we collectively commit to donating blood, we can stack up more wins for hospital patients who are counting on us. A single individual is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Erie County

•Amherst

Jan. 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1, 8: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

Jan. 11: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road

Jan. 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

Jan. 27: noon to 4 p.m., Snyder Fire Department, 4531 Main St.

Jan. 30: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., University at Buffalo North Student Union

Feb. 3: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

Feb. 4: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Johnnie B Wiley Pavilion, 1100 Jefferson Ave.

Feb. 9: 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave.

•East Aurora

Jan. 12: noon to 5 p.m., Hampton Inn – East Aurora, 49 Olean St.

Feb. 7: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Grand Island

Jan. 24: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road

Feb. 10: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Grand Island Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road

•Hamburg

Jan. 21: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave.

Jan. 23: 12:30-6:30 p.m., Hamburg Public Library, 102 Buffalo St.

Feb. 2: 2-6:30 p.m., Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St.

Feb. 7: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 – Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road

Feb. 9: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

•Kenmore

Feb. 1: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave.

•Lackawanna

Feb. 7: noon to 5 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 South Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

Jan. 16: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 26 Thorn Ave.

•Tonawanda

Jan. 14: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

Jan. 19: 2-7 p.m., Tonawanda Fire Department, 44 William St.

•West Seneca

Jan. 27: 12:30-5 p.m., Southtowns Family YMCA, 1620 Southwestern Blvd.

•Williamsville

Feb. 7: 1:30-6 p.m., Temple Beth Tzedek, 1641 N. Forest

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Jan. 27: 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

Feb. 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mount St Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road

•Lockport

Jan. 10: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

Jan. 23: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lockport Family YMCA, 5833 Snyder Dr.

•Newfane

Jan. 23: 12:30-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

Jan. 16: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave.

•North Tonawanda

Jan. 11: noon to 5 p.m., Gratwick Fire House Co. No. 6, 110 Ward Road

•Youngstown

Jan. 24: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 3rd St.

How to Donate Blood

Simply download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the blood donor app.

Amplify Your Impact − Volunteer! 

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information or to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit on Twitter at @RedCross

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