The American Red Cross is asking donors to celebrate the arrival of summer by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer.
While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.
Making donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients — including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions — in the weeks to come, according to a news release. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.
Schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
All who come to give blood between July 1 and July 14 will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Additionally, donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.
Those who make it in to give blood by June 30 will get a $15 Amazon.com gift card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June for more information.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Lewis County:
• June 26: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., United Methodist Church, 16 South Market Blvd., Chehalis
• July 10: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chehalis Ward, 2195 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
• July 21: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Cascade Community Healthcare, 2428 Reynolds Ave., Centralia
To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, 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, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, 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.
