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 Holiday activities, severe weather and seasonal illnesses, like
the flu, can pull people away from their regular blood donation
schedules. This creates a greater need for blood donations this time
of year, especially around the winter holidays. To encourage
donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 23, 2015, through Jan.
3, 2016, will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies
last.
Jamie Czesak made her first blood donation on Dec. 27, 2013. “As I
spent Christmas with my family, I realized how lucky I was to have
my health and how we never really know when our last Christmas will
be. I decided that I would face my fears and do one of the few
things I can do to help save someone's life donate blood.”
Healthy donors with all blood types are needed, especially those
with types AB, O, B negative and A negative. To make an appointment
to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from
app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS
(1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access
their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.
There will be a local donation opportunity on Wednesday, December
16th at the Lincoln Park District from noon to 5 p.m.
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 (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.
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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,
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
[Tracy J. Fox, APR, Communications
Director, American Red Cross]
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