Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MACON, Ga. (June 14, 2018) – The American Red Cross and 13WMAZ are teaming up to help ensure a stable blood supply for hospital patients in need. The station is hosting its 15th annual summer blood drive and donors are invited to give at the following locations: June 28, 2-7 p.m. at Dublin Mall, 205 Veterans Boulevard, in Dublin; June 29, 2-7 p.m. and June 30, noon-5 p.m. at Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Boulevard in Centerville; July 2, noon-5 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops 5000 Bass Pro Blvd. in Macon; July 5, 2-7 p.m. Central Georgia Technical College, Milledgeville 54 Hwy 22 W. in Milledgeville and Navicient Health, 777 Hemlock St., in Macon; July 6, 2-7 p.m., Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., in Centerville. Participants will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood through the Missing Types campaign. The goal of Missing Types is to inspire new blood donors and those who haven’t given in a while to give this summer and become a regular blood donor for patients in need in the years to come. For the past four years, new Red Cross blood donors have declined by about 80,000 each year. More blood donors are needed now to fill the gaps.
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all types to give now to help prevent a summer blood shortage. During the summer months, blood and platelet donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand. Though busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks cause a drop in donations, accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day to meet patient needs.
“Donating blood is a great way to give back and help patients who don’t get a summer break from needing blood,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment for the Red Cross. “We thank 13WMAZ for being a longtime Red Cross blood drive sponsor and educating the community about the importance of blood donation.”
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 sponsor code: WMAZ or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 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, from a computer or mobile device, 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.