(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.