Macon, GA. — 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. 23, 2019 to Jan. 2, 2020 at various locations. Participants will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients in need, like Blaze Eppinger. Blood is needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
Eppinger, who has had the sickle cell disease since birth, thanks the Red Cross and volunteer blood donors. “I feel like they give life more than they know,” said Eppinger. “Blood donors may not think about where the blood goes to at the time of their donation, but I consider them as silent heroes. It’s just a task to them, an hour of their time, but that task helps save lives. If it wasn’t for generous blood donors, I wouldn’t be alive.”
“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 Georgia 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.”
Donors of all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment. Eligible donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are urged 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.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:
12/23/19: 2 – 7 p.m., AmStar Cinemas, 5996 Zebulon Rd., Macon – bloodmobile.
12/23/19: 2 – 7 p.m., PruittHealth Hospice, 6060 Lakeside Commons Dr., Macon.
12/24/19: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Macon.
12/26/19: 2 – 7 p.m., Central Georgia Technical College, 54 Hwy 22 W, Milledgeville - First Floor - Room 202 Health Science Building.
12/27/19: noon – 5 p.m., Houston County Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville.
12/27/19: 2 – 6 p.m., The Fresh Market, 4357 Forsyth Rd., Macon – bloodmobile.
12/28/19: noon – 5 p.m., Houston County Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville.
12/31/19: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Texas Roadhouse, 5080 Riverside Drive Suite 1500, Macon
1/2/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Navicent Health, 777 Hemlock St., Macon – First Floor West Lobby.
1/2/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Coliseum Medical Center, 350 Hospital Drive, Macon - First Floor – Classroom.
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code WMAZ or 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. 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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.