Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MACON, Ga. (Dec. 07, 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 annual holiday blood drive and donors are invited to give from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 2, 2019 at various locations. Participants will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Participating blood drives:
Dec. 22, 2-7 p.m., Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville
Dec. 23, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville
Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Bass Pro Shops Parking Lot, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Macon
Dec. 26, 2-7 p.m., Dublin Mall, 205 Veterans Boulevard, Dublin
Dec. 26, noon-5 p.m., Walmart, 502 Booth Rd., Warner Robins
Dec. 27, 2-7 p.m., Central Georgia Technical College – Milledgeville, 54 Hwy 22 W., Milledgeville
Dec. 28, noon-5 p.m., Dublin Mall, 205 Veterans Boulevard, Dublin
Dec. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The Fresh Market Bloodmobile, 4357 Forsyth Road, Macon
Jan. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Navicent Health (Downtown) 777 Hemlock St., Macon – West Tower Lobby.
Jan. 2, 7 a.m.-noon, Coliseum Medical Center (Downtown) 350 Hospital Dr., Macon
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed – largely due to less groups signing up to host blood drives and worsened by widespread blood drive cancellations caused by hurricanes Florence and Michael.
“The holidays are a busy time when many activities pull people away from making an appointment to donate blood,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “This creates a greater need for donations during the winter months. We thank 13WMAZ for being a longtime Red Cross blood drive sponsor and educating the community about the importance of blood donation.”
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.
More than 125 blood drives in this area are needed now through February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.
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.