WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

GREENSBORO —The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and through-out the summer.

Blood donations often decline in the summer months, especially around summer holidays when donors are less available to give. The need for blood doesn’t decrease though –every two seconds, some-one in the U.S. requires blood or platelets. In fact, a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showed that nearly half knew someone who needed blood or they needed blood themselves.

“Donating blood helps save lives and can affect people you know and work alongside every day,” said Scott Nethery, whose seven-year-old daughter Audrey requires frequent transfusions. Audrey was born with Diamond Blackfan anemia, a rare condition where her body doesn’t make enough red blood cells. “I am so appreciative of the individuals whose blood is within my daughter at this very moment. Without blood, my little angel would not be with us today.”

Donors of all blood types are needed now. Schedule an appointment to give blood by download-ing the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or call-ing 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

*American Red Cross Winston-Salem Blood Donation Center, 650 Coliseum Drive: Monday, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

*Winston-Salem: today, Thursday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lowes Hardware, University parkway, 5901 University parkway

*King: Today, Thursday, July 14, 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, 105 Moore Road

How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross-blood.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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.