ST. GEORGE — Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.
In November 2016, a 100-foot maple tree fell on Mike McMahon, causing life-threatening injuries. He needed 11 units of blood during emergency surgery and another seven units to treat complications afterward. Six weeks following the accident, McMahon was released from the hospital – just in time to spend the holidays with his family.
“I’m grateful for the donors who gave me such an amazing gift – the gift of life,” McMahon said in a news release from the American Red Cross. “I was an occasional blood donor before the accident. Today, I donate as often as I can to help ensure others receive blood when they need it most.”
Now is an important time to give blood. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.
Give the gift of life – make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a special thank-you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give blood through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.
Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.
Upcoming Red Cross blood donation opportunities in Southern Utah through Jan. 15:
Beaver
Jan. 3, 1:30-7 p.m., Beaver 3rd, 4th & 5th Ward LDS Chapel, 220 N. Main, Beaver.
Milford
Dec. 28, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Milford Valley EMS building, 850 N. Main, Milford.
Cedar City
Dec. 27, 1-7 p.m., Cedar City 17th LDS Ward building, 256 S. 900 West, Cedar City.
Jan. 2: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Smith’s, 633 S. Main St., Cedar City.
Jan. 10: 2-7 p.m., Cedar City Canyon View LDS Stake, 1985 N. Main, Cedar City.
Enterprise
Jan. 15, 1:30-7 p.m., Enterprise Utah LDS Stake 4th and 5th Ward Building, 620 E. Main, Enterprise.
Hurricane
Jan. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Hurricane High School, 345 W. 100 South, Hurricane.
St. George
Jan. 3: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Smith’s, 565 S. Mall Drive, St. George.
Jan. 4: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. George City offices, 175 E. 200 North, St. George.
Jan. 8: 1:30-7 p.m., St. George Pine View LDS Stake, 595 N. 2450 East, St. George.
Jan. 9: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sun River St. George, 4275 S. Country Club Drive, St. George.
Jan. 9: 1-6:30 p.m., St. George Bloomington LDS Stake, 200 W. Brigham Road, St. George.
Additionally, donations may be made on the following dates and times at the St. George Blood Donation Center located at 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6 in St. George: between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 28, Dec. 31, Jan. 4 and Jan. 11; and between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14.
Washington City
Jan. 11: 3-8 p.m., St. George Academy, 380 E. 3090 South, Washington City.
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 follow on Twitter at @RedCross.
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