Health / Local / Opinion & Editorial

Give thanks for good health by donating blood this holiday season

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(November 1, 2017) — The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.

Mike Healey’s son was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds, and immediately needed blood. “I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then,” he said. Though Healey’s son spent his first 49 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he has thrived and is now a healthy, 10-year-old little league baseball player. “I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son.”

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities 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.

By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30

 

NC

Currituck

 

Grandy

11/27/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grandy Assembly of God Church, 121 Augusta Drive

 

Moyock

11/28/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., The New Moyock United Methodist Church, 268 Caratoke Hwy

 

Powells Point

11/20/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Sound Feet Shoes, 111 Fox Knoll Drive

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Franklin

 

Franklinton

11/30/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Franklinton High School, 910 Cedar Creek Rd

 

Louisburg

11/17/2017: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Service Louisburg, 804 N. Bickett Blvd

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Hertford

 

Ahoskie

11/20/2017: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital, 500 South Academy Street

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Northampton

 

Rich Square

11/16/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rich Square United Methodist Church, 263 S. Main Street

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Pasquotank

 

Elizabeth City

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Elizabeth City, American Red Cross, 1409 Parkview Drive

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Elizabeth City, American Red Cross, 1409 Parkview Drive

11/28/2017: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Northeastern High School, 963 Oak Stump Road

11/30/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., United States Coast Guard, 1664 Weeksville Road

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Perquimans

 

Hertford

11/17/2017: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Perquimans County High School, 305 Edenton Road Street

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VA

Accomack

 

Melfa

11/21/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Highway

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Chesapeake City

 

Chesapeake

11/17/2017: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tidewater Baptist Temple, 1316 Campostella Road

11/20/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1st Class Real Estate, 921 N Battlefield Blvd

11/21/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Centerville Baptist Church, 908 Centerville Turnpike South

11/22/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Chesapeake Square Mall, 4200 Portsmouth Boulevard

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Chesapeake Square Mall, 4200 Portsmouth Boulevard

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway

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Franklin

 

Rocky Mount

11/21/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Rocky Mount Christian Church, 120 South Main Street

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Gloucester

 

Bena

11/28/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Abingdon Ruritan Club, Rt. 216

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Hampton City

 

Hampton

11/20/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, 2510 N Armistead Avenue

11/22/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Hampton Roads Chapter RSMO, 1323 W. Pembroke Avenue

11/30/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bethel High School, 1067 Bigh Bethel Road

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Isle of Wight

 

Smithfield

11/29/2017: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Smithfield High School, 14171 Turner Drive

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James City

 

Williamsburg

11/17/2017: 7:15 a.m. – 1 p.m., Jamestown High School, 3751 John Tyler Highway

11/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., T J Maxx, 4640 Monticello Avenue

11/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wawa #699  Williamsbu, 842 Merrimac Trail

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks for Giving Monticello Marketplace Shopping Center, 4640 Monticello Avenue

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks for Giving Monticello Marketplace Shopping Center, 4640 Monticello Avenue

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Newport News City

 

Newport News

11/16/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ferguson Center, 1 University Place

11/19/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., River Mews Apartments, 91 River Palms Road

11/19/2017: 11:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., First Baptist Church of Newport News, 12716 Warwick Boulevard

11/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/20/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Legion Post 25, 7609 Marshall Avenue

11/22/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

11/26/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Avenue

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Norfolk City

 

Norfolk

11/16/2017: 11:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/17/2017: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/18/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/18/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Norview Lodge, 1125 Hugo Street

11/19/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/20/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/21/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/21/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tidewater Community College – Norfolk Campus, 310 Granby Street

 

11/22/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., MacArthur Center, 300 Monticello Avenue

11/23/2017: 11:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/24/2017: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/25/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/26/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/27/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

11/28/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

 

11/30/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Student Center, 700 Park Avenue

11/30/2017: 11:15 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Norfolk Blood Donation Center, 250 West Brambleton Avenue

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Virginia Beach City

 

Virginia Beach

11/16/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sandbridge Rescue Squad Sta 17, 305 Sandbridge Road

11/16/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/18/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/18/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Southside Harley Davidson, 385 N. Witchduck Road

11/20/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Avalon Church of Christ, 844 Woodstock Road

11/21/2017: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hampton Roads Sanitation District, 1434 Air Rail Avenue

11/21/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/21/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Founders Inn, 5641 Indian River Road

11/22/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive

11/22/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/22/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church, 5350 Providence Road

11/24/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Lynnhaven Mall, 701 Lynnhaven Parkway, Management Office suite 1068

11/24/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks for Giving, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd, Pembroke Mall

11/25/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/25/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/25/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 2WD Thanks 4 Giving – Lynnhaven Mall, 701 Lynnhaven Parkway, Management Office suite 1068

11/26/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Church of the Acension, 4853 Princess Anne Road

11/26/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

11/28/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

11/30/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Virginia Beach Blood Donation Center, 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

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Williamsburg City

 

Williamsburg

11/29/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 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 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

 

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

 

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.