Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Charleston community urged to make lifesaving donation
CHARLESTON, SC (December 22, 2016) — The American Red Cross is calling on blood donors to score one for life at a winter blood drive sponsored by ABC News 4 and Y102.5 in Charleston.
The annual Score One 4 Life blood drive is Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Northwoods Mall, 2150 Northwoods Blvd., and Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. All presenting donors will receive a pair of tickets to a Stingrays game, while supplies last.
“The winter season is one of the most challenging times of year for the Red Cross to collect enough donations to meet patient needs,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director of the Red Cross. “Blood and platelet donors can bring joy to patients and their families by giving blood or platelets to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving treatments they need.”
Severe winter weather, seasonal illnesses like the flu, and busy schedules often cause donations to decline during the winter season. However, the demand for blood from patients in South Carolina and across the nation remains constant. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and this need can only be met by the generosity of volunteer blood donors.
January also marks National Blood Donor Month. Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January to not only honor blood and platelet donors, but also to help increase donations during the winter months. The Red Cross encourages people to make a lifesaving resolution in 2017 to roll up their sleeves to give blood to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ABCNews4, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-722-2767). Walk-ins are welcome.
Items and offers are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash.
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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