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Red Cross Urges Blood Donation as One Last Gift to Give this Holiday Season

american-red-cross-logoNews Release – 12/5/2016
It can’t be wrapped or placed under a tree, but the perfect gift can help save patient lives this holiday season. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the lifesaving gift of a blood donation in December, a time when donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady.

Barbara Coger will never forget the donors that gave the blood that her husband received during the holidays. “I have been donating blood for some time, but really started encouraging others to do so after my husband received a donation on Christmas Eve,” she said. “He had not been doing well and would not survive much longer, but with that extra boost, he was able to share a big smile with me on Christmas morning, something I will always cherish.”

Donors of all blood types are needed this holiday season to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 22, 2016, through Jan. 8, 2017, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

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:

 American Red Cross Central New Blood Donation Center:
707 Alexander Rd., Suite 701, Princeton Township
Mondays: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (platelet pheresis)
Tuesdays: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)
Fridays: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)
Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (whole blood)

Hunterdon

Flemington

12/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Flemington Jewish Community Center, 5 Sergeantsville Road

Mercer

Pennington

12/31/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. James Church New Year’s Eve, 17 Eglantine Avenue

Middlesex

Iselin

12/29/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dunkin Donuts, 801 Green Street

Monmouth

Morganville

12/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America, 705 Ginesi Drive

Tinton Falls

12/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1540 W. Park Avenue

Ocean

Jackson

12/28/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean County Library Jackson Branch-December Holiday, 2 Jackson Drive

Lakewood

12/27/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ocean County Library Lakewood Branch, 301 Lexington Avenue

Manahawkin

12/29/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Moose Lodge, 120 Route 72

Point Pleasant

12/17/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Ocean County Library, 834 Beaver Dam Road

Toms River

12/21/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., The Days Hotel by Wyndham, 290 Route 37 East

Somerset

Basking Ridge

12/18/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Congregation B’Nai Israel, 40 Whitenack Road

Union

Plainfield

12/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church – Plainfield, 516 W. 6th Street

Springfield

12/18/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Raymond Chisholm Community Center, 100 South Springfield Avenue

Summit

12/19/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Red Cross, 695 Springfield Avenue

Union

12/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, 1050 Jeanette Avenue, Corporate Office

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.

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