ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.
A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure lifesaving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.
Those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.
Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
• Ridgway, from 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 31, St. Leo’s Church, 111 Depot St.
• Bradford, from 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 24, Bradford United Methodist Church, 23 Chambers St.
• Mount Jewett, from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 31, Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club, 61 E. Main St.
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.
