The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets and help prevent a summer shortage. The Villager supports this call for donors from our community, which has been so generous in the past with this life-saving gesture.
The call for donations is supported by a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showing that more than 40 percent plan to travel the week before or after Independence Day, an indicator that many eligible donors may be unavailable to give.
In addition, fewer blood drives are scheduled the week before and after Independence Day because many hosting organizations postpone blood drives while potential donors are on vacation.
Blood donors of all types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are urged to schedule an appointment. Those who come to donate from July 2-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered baseball cap, while supplies last.
To make an appointment and for more information, download the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
