Give thanks for good health by donating blood or platelets

Help patients relying on blood transfusions throughout the holidays

Submitted by the American Red Cross

As many gather for Thanksgiving celebrations with family and friends, the American Red Cross urges donors to shake up their holiday traditions and plan a time to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks.

Blood and platelet donations tend to drop more than 20% during holiday weeks, including the days around Thanksgiving. Seasonal illness and the threat of winter weather can add more concern during a time of year that is traditionally hard on the nation’s blood supply.

Give thanks and give back – now is the time to make and keep donation appointments. Book a time to give blood or platelets at www.RedCrossBlood.org. As a thank-you, all who come to donate Nov. 23-27 will get an exclusive Red Cross beanie, while supplies last. Thanks to our partners at Amazon, all donors who come to give blood Nov. 28-Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Gift card by email. Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/together.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 21 through Dec. 15 include:

Erie County

•Amherst

Dec. 7, 14, 21: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

Dec. 1: 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave

Dec. 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., UB S Pharmacy School, 160 Hayes Rd

Dec. 10: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dr Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School, 1 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy

Dec. 14: noon to 6 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave

•Cheektowaga

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22: 11:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road

Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23: 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road

Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road

•East Aurora

Dec. 6: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Grand Island

Dec. 12: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Knights of Columbus, 1841 Whitehaven Road

•Hamburg

Dec. 1: 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

Dec. 8: 2-6:30 p.m., Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St.

Dec. 13: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 – Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road

•Kenmore

Dec. 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave.

•Lackawanna

Dec. 6: noon to 5 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 South Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

Dec. 16: 1-6 p.m., St Bernadettes Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

Dec. 21: 2-7 p.m., Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4520 California Road

•Tonawanda

Dec. 10: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Seneca

Dec. 20: noon to 5 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Dec. 21: 1:30-6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St.

•Lockport

Dec. 13: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Middleport

Dec. 19: 1-6 p.m., Middleport Firehall, 28 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

Dec. 17: 8 a.m. to noon, Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive

•Sanborn

Dec. 2: 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Niagara County Community College, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road

•Wilson

Dec. 15: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wilson High School Library, 412 Lake 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 and to apply for either position, call 716-886-7500, email [email protected], or 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 on Twitter at @RedCross.