ST LOUIS, MO-(Effingham Radio)-The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for patients in need.
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel.
However, medical treatments and emergencies that require blood don’t stop for the holidays.
The Red Cross is thanking those who carve out time to give Nov. 21-24 with a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
Patients like 6-year-old Ava King will continue to need transfusions critical to their care this holiday season.
Ava has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which impacts her body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.
“We are so thankful for blood donors, because Ava relies on blood transfusions every month to stay alive and thrive,” said Ava’s mother, Tina King. “It’s truly a gift!”
By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones.
Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Another way to help keep the blood supply strong this winter is to host a Red Cross blood drive in December, January or February.
To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30
Bond County:
- Mulberry Grove- 11/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mulberry Grove High School, 801 West Wall Street
Clay County:
- Flora- 11/21/2018: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Clay County Hospital, 911 Stacyburke Drive
Coles County:
- Mattoon- 11/16/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Community Church, 200 LaFayette East, 11/26/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 10 Charleston Avenue
Crawford County:
- Palestine- 11/26/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Palestine High School, 102 North Main Street
- Robinson- 11/26/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Robinson Community Center, 300 South Lincoln
Effingham County:
- Altamont- 11/28/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Altamont High School, 7 South Ewing
- Effingham- 11/16/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/17/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Elks Club, 2102 South Banker, 11/21/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/21/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 1501 West Fayette, 11/22/2018: 8 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/23/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/28/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/29/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/30/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
- Mason- 11/26/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mason Christian Church Annex, 624 North Route 37
Fayette County:
- Ramsey- 11/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ramsey Grade School, 610 West 6th Street
- Vandalia- 11/20/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 South 3rd Street, 11/27/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Zimmerman’s Greenhouse, 1386 East 1050 Avenue
Marion County:
- Iuka- 11/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Iuka Grade School, 405 South Main
- Salem- 11/16/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 116 E. Schwartz, 11/18/2018: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., St Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, 812 West Main
Richland County:
- Olney- 11/30/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Richland County High School, 1200 East Laurel
Shelby County:
- Cowden- 11/19/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cowden Herrick High School, South Route 128
- Shelbyville- 11/21/2018: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hawthorne Inn, 1111 West North 12th Street