KILMARNOCK—The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a chronic summer blood shortage.
In August, regular donors may delay giving as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up, reported external communications manager Bernadette Jay.
To fully meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks, donations are urgently needed from new and current donors, said Jay. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days and Power Red cells can be donated every 112 days.
Upcoming blood drives will be held:
• August 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive, White Stone.
• August 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital, 101 Harris Drive, Kilmarnock.
Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-733-2767. To help reduce wait times, donors are urged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
