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Red Cross Seeks Donors To Maintain Blood Supply
Blood drive graphic

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need.

Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so a diverse blood supply is important to meeting the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population.

Donors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as all blood types, are needed to help patients fight sickle cell disease, alpha thalassemia and other illnesses. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities have been listed for the local area over the next couple of weeks.

 

San Joaquin County

Escalon will host a blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California St.

Manteca has a pair of opportunities, Mondays, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, noon to 7 p.m. at the Manteca Blood Donation Center, 1030 N. Main.

In Stockton, donors can give at the North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane on Monday, Oct. 2 from 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 3 from noon to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 4 from noon to 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 5 from 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6 from 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Stanislaus County

The Modesto Blood Donation Center at 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave. will be open for donors Monday, Oct. 2 from noon to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 4 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 5, 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Salida, donors can give at a blood drive hosted at San Joaquin Valley College, 5380 Pirrone Road on Thursday, Oct. 5, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Waterford High School, 121 S. Reinway Blvd., will host a drive on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

You can 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

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.

 

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.