Red Cross Asks for Blood Donations During Holiday Season

Each year the Red Cross sees a significant decline in blood donations between Thanksgiving and Christmas due to holiday activities.

FREDERICK, Md. (KR) If you’re looking for a gift of giving this holiday season, the American Red Cross is asking volunteers to donate blood. Each year, the Red Cross sees a significant decline in blood donations between Thanksgiving and Christmas due to holiday activities.

Regina Boothe Bratton, with the American Red Cross, says they are hoping to stock the shelves before the holiday season gets busy.

“Our supply runs very low, so we have a national appeal going on right now for the holidays and we think it’s the perfect gift. For this time of year, it’s the gift of life and we’re relying on the generosity of the donors out there to come out and donate,” said Boothe-Bratton.

She said it only takes an hour to donate and the Red Cross makes the process even easier by completing their Rapid Pass questionnaire online at redcrossblood.org.

“You can sign up there and it should take you directly and if you put in your zip code it’ll take you to blood donation centers in your area,” said Boothe-Bratton.

You must be at least 17 years old to donate, weigh more than 100 pounds and be in good health.

Local Blood Donation Centers:

-Frederick 11/14/16 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., 141 Thomas Johnson Dr., Suite 120.
-Carroll County 11/14/16 2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church. 21 Carroll St.
-Rockville 11/14/16 7:00 p.m. 11820 Parklawn Dr.
-Rockville 11/15/16 7:00 p.m. 11820 Parklawn Dr.