In the season of giving, give the gift of life

It’s kind to volunteer and to give money to charities, especially this time of year. But have you considered giving the gift of life?

The American Red Cross and other organizations have a critical need for blood donors right now. You can donate whole blood, which takes 1/2 hour or you can donate platelets or plasma or other blood products, which takes 2 to 3 hours. Both are needed. “As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 and a summer spike in delta variant cases significantly challenged the nation’s blood supply heading into the fall. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year − one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients.” (Red Cross website).

Make an appointment to be a blood donor: American Red Cross Blood Services

Make an appointment to be a blood donor: INOVA Blood Services (Northern Virginia)

I have signed up to be a first time platelet donor! I will be donating on Monday, December 20. Remember, if you only have time to be a whole blood donor, that’s okay, too.

Watch a video about platelet donation:

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Tagged: donate blood, INOVA blood services, Red Cross blood services