Red Cross schedules blood drives
American Red Cross urges residents to donate blood and prevent a shortage. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON COUNTY – American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors.
Since 1970, Americans have observed January as National Blood Donor Month, with the goal of increasing blood donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs.
In late 2015, “about 1,700 fewer blood drives were held across the country compared to the two previous months, which has resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply,” Kristen Stancil said. Stancil works as External Communications Manager for American Red Cross.
“A decline in the blood supply after the winter holidays is not uncommon, but it can be replenished when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” Mario Sedlock said. Sedlock directs donor recruitment across the South.
“We encourage our generous donors who are eligible, as well as new donors, to make an appointment to give blood or platelets,” Sedlock said. “Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood.”
Numerous options are available to donate blood locally:
* Jan. 11 — Noon to 7 p.m. Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St., Huntsville
* Jan. 11 — 12:30 to 5 p.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 1418 Old Railroad Bed Road, Madison
* Jan. 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30 — 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center
* Jan. 18 — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center
* Jan. 21 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Raytheon, 401 Jan Davis Drive, Huntsville
* Jan. 22 — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Charger Village, 601 John Wright Drive, Huntsville
* Jan. 25 — Noon to 7 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center
* Jan. 26 — 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. John Paul II Catholic High School, 7301 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville
To schedule a donation appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcross.org or Twitter @RedCross.
