Media contact: Sherry Nicholson
MACON (May 27, 2022) — With Memorial Day weekend being the unofficial start of summer, you can honor fallen soldiers AND help save lives this busy season by donating blood at the 10th annual 41NBC Memorial Day Blood Drive on May 31st. The American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals to make an appointment to donate blood at one of several locations to ensure that blood remains readily available for patients who rely on transfusions.
Presenting donors will receive a 20 oz. Red Cross aluminum water bottle and custom stickers, while supplies last! You can customize your bottle to show your donor pride and stay hydrated this summer for your next donation.
Donations often decline around holidays like Memorial Day and donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed in May to help ensure blood products are available for patients now and into summer. But what about those who’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine – can they donate?
As long as donors are symptom-free, feeling well, and can provide the vaccine manufacturer’s name, there’s no waiting period required after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. Additional blood donation eligibility information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Eligibility.
It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives on May 31, 2022:
Blood drive safety precautions
Over the past two years, the Red Cross has continued to assess our COVID-19 safety protocols as the pandemic environment has evolved. On April 25, the Red Cross removed its mask requirement for individuals attending blood drives and donation centers as a result of CDC mask guidance, lower infection rates, and strong vaccine effectiveness. Moving forward, the Red Cross will continue to monitor CDC transmission information and Red Cross infection rates, and state/local regulations to help inform our policy. To the extent that there are state or local laws that differ from our policy, the Red Cross will remain in compliance with these laws.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
How to donate blood
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code 41NBC, or 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.