October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – the perfect time to give blood or platelets to support cancer patients and others. Cancer patients may need red blood cell or platelet transfusions during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.
Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this fall, especially after Hurricane Florence and subsequent flooding forced the cancellation of more than 6,000 blood and platelet donations last month.
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 thank-you, those who come to donate blood or platelets in October will automatically be entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants. Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org/GoForGoal.
Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include:
- Rainelle – Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rainelle Medical Center, 176 Medical Center Drive
- Lewisburg – Oct. 29, 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Lewisburg United Methodist Church, 214 E. Washington Street