Donors needed at multiple blood drives in Central, Ga. July 1 through July 6

MACON, Ga. (June 17, 2019) – The American Red Cross and 13WMAZ are teaming up to help ensure a stable blood supply for hospital patients in need during Independence Day. The television station is hosting its 16th annual summer blood drive and donors are invited to give blood July 1 through July 6 at various locations. All participants will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.     

The American Red Cross has a constant need for blood and platelet donors of all types to give now to help prevent a summer blood shortage. During the summer months, blood and platelet donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand. Though busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks cause a drop-in donations, accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break. In the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region, on average, approximately 568 donations are needed each day from area blood donors to help patients in need like 4-year-old, Ryder Oliver, who is a survivor of Brain Cancer.

On March 26, 2018, Ryder Oliver was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor called Medulloblastoma at the age of 3. He immediately underwent a 5.5-hour brain surgery to remove the tumor and then received his first of many blood transfusions. Ryder then completed three rounds of chemotherapy, three rounds of high dose chemotherapy and three stem cell transplants. He finished his treatment October 12, 2018, and he is currently in remission.  

“Survivors like Ryder help remind us why donating blood is a great way to give back and help patients who don’t get a summer break from needing blood,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager for the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “We thank 13WMAZ for being a longtime Red Cross blood drive sponsor and educating the community about the importance of blood donation.”

This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood through the Missing Types campaign. The goal of Missing Types campaign is to change the statistics by inspiring blood donors, especially new donors, to give this summer and become regular blood donors for patients in need in the years to come. Only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood, yet every two seconds, someone needs it. There simply aren’t enough people donating blood to help patients in need.

Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:

7/1/2019: 2 – 7 p.m. Central Georgia Technical College, 54 Hwy 22 W., Milledgeville

7/2/2019: 2 – 7 p.m. Dublin Mall, 205 Veterans Blvd., Dublin

7/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Navicent Health – West Lobby, 777 Hemlock St., Macon

7/3/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bass Pro Shops, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Macon

7/3/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Central Georgia Technical College 54 Hwy 22 W., Milledgeville

7/5/2019: noon – 5 p.m. Dublin Mall, 205 Veterans Blvd., Dublin

7/5/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville

7/6/2019: noon – 5 p.m. Galleria Mall, 2950 Watson Blvd., Centerville

How to donate blood

For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code: WMAZ or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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, from a computer or mobile device, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

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.