Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
ELLIJAY, Ga. (Oct. 31, 2019) — The community is invited to give more life by donating with the American Red Cross at the Ellijay Community Blood Drive and donor appreciation event. Eligible donors of all blood types are needed Thursday, Nov. 14 from noon to 6 p.m. at Ellijay Lions Club, 1729 S. Main St., in Ellijay. Since 2010, Ellijay Lions Club blood drives have collected a total of 5,683 units. While celebrating a decade of giving life, new and long-time donors are encouraged to attend the special event.
Holiday activities and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can pull people away from their regular blood donation schedules. This creates a greater need for donations this time of year, especially around the fall and winter holidays. Those who come to give will enjoy a community cook-out, dessert treats, raffle giveaways and receive a T-shirt, while supplies last.
“Patients don’t get a break during the holiday season from needing lifesaving transfusions,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “We appreciate volunteer donors in Ellijay for bringing awareness to the community about the opportunity to roll up a sleeve and make a difference in the lives of others. They are helping to save lives and to ensure patients have the blood products they need during the upcoming months.”
Blood is needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may need blood products.
Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information with sponsor code: ellijay. Donors of all blood types are needed. 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.
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.