(November 8, 2016)  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:

VA

Chesapeake City

Chesapeake

11/20/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Real Life Christian Church, 900 N. Centerville Turnpike

11/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Centerville Baptist Church, 908 Centerville Turnpike South

11/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Chesapeake Square Mall, 4200 Portsmouth Boulevard

11/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway

11/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Chesapeake Square Mall, 4200 Portsmouth Boulevard

11/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway

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Franklin

 

Rocky Mount

11/30/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., The Franklin Center, 50 Claiborne Avenue

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Gloucester

 

Bena

11/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Abingdon Ruritan Club, Rt. 216

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Hampton City

 

Hampton

11/21/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, 2510 N Armistead Avenue

11/23/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hampton Roads Chapter RSMO, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue

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James City

 

Williamsburg

11/23/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., T J Maxx, 4640 Monticello Avenue

11/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks for Giving Monticello Marketplace Shopping Center, 4640 Monticello Avenue

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Newport News City

 

Newport News

11/17/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Christopher Newport University: Freeman Center, 1 University Place

11/22/2016: 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/22/2016: 3:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center, 12650 Jefferson Ave

11/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/27/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

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Norfolk City

 

Norfolk

11/16/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Virginia Wesleyan Batten Student Center, 1584 Wesleyan Drive

11/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Norview Lodge, 1125 Hugo Street

11/20/2016: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Beth El Temple, 422 Shirley Avenue

11/21/2016: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughter, 601 Childrens Lane

11/21/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/21/2016: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughter, 601 Childrens Lane

11/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., VFW Ocean View Post 3160, 111 A View Avenue

11/28/2016: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/30/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Student Center, 700 Park Avenue

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Suffolk City

 

Suffolk

11/16/2016: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Lake Prince Woods, 100 Anna Goode Way

11/30/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Nansemond Suffolk Academy, 3373 Pruden Boulevard

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Virginia Beach City

 

Virginia Beach

11/16/2016: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hampton Roads Sanitation District, 1434 Air Rail Avenue

11/17/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sandbridge Rescue Squad Sta 17, 305 Sandbridge Road

11/17/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/18/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wawa Ferrell Pkwy, 5048 Ferrell Parkway

11/18/2016: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Chick -Fil-A, 5409 Indian River Road

11/19/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/19/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Southside Harley Davidson, 385 N. Witchduck Road

11/21/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Avalon Church of Christ, 844 Woodstock Road

11/22/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/23/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/23/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church, 5350 Providence Road

11/25/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/26/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/27/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Church of the Acension, 4853 Princess Anne Road

11/27/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/29/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/29/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Holiday Inn VA Beach-Norfolk, 5655 Greenwich Road

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Williamsburg City

 

Williamsburg

11/30/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Woodlands Conference Center, 119 Visitors Center Drive

 

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.