As fall officially began Monday, the American Red Cross is urging Georgians to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, but especially those with types O+ and B- blood, are needed now.
For many Georgians, daily routines shift as the seasons change, but blood and platelet donations must remain top of mind.
Every donation is key to making sure patients relying on critical transfusions, including car accident victims, those living with sickle cell disease, and those facing cancer, get the care — and blood transfusions — they need.
Red Cross blood donations can be made in Putnam County from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Lake Oconee Lutheran Church, 1081 Lake Oconee Pkwy.; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Zion Covenant Fellowship Church, 404 Oak St.; or from 2-6 p.m. on Oct. 15, again at Zion Covenant Fellowship Church.
Blood donations to the Red Cross in Greene County can be made Oct.9, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Hall, at 6341 Lake Oconee Pkwy. Many other locations, dates, and times are available statewide with listings available at redcrossblood.org/fall.
The Red Cross urges everyone to make an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCross-Blood.org, by calling 800-RED-CROSS, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app.
All who donate blood, platelets, or plasma by Oct. 19 to the Georgia Red Cross will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email. For details, visit the Red Cross online at redcrossblood.org/fall.
— Contributed