Macon, Georgia (July 3, 2023) — While preparing to enjoy a long Fourth of July holiday, include time to donate blood and help save lives at the 13WMAZ Summer Blood Drive on July 5 and July 7 at various locations. The American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals to make appointments to donate blood to ensure blood remains readily available for patients in need.
Donations often decline around the holidays and during the summer months and donors are needed to help ensure blood products are available. Summer 2023 is expected to be one of the busiest travel seasons in recent years. While nearly half of all Americans plan to travel more than last year, the need for blood doesn’t take a summer vacation. Without the constant support of generous volunteer donors, blood and platelets may not be ready the moment patients need them for lifesaving transfusions. Type O blood donors, type AB plasma donors and platelet donors are especially important in emergencies.
Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days and the need for blood is constant. In fact, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
“We are incredibly grateful to WMAZ for their partnership and support of our mission,” said Alicia Doherty, Regional Donor Services Executive for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “Their commitment to hosting blood drives helps to ensure everyone has access to safe, lifesaving blood. When generous blood donors roll up their sleeves to donate, they help change a life.”
13WMAZ has hosted blood drives with the American Red Cross of Georgia starting back in January 2004. To date, the team has helped the Red Cross collect more than 4,400 pints of blood.
In thanks for helping meet patient needs, all who come to donate between July 1 – July 11 will receive an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:
How to donate blood:
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code WMAZ, 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 or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.