Upcoming opportunities to give blood

Yesterday at Rotary, I saw that there are more blood drives coming up in the community. Since I gave double red cells in November, I still have to wait a few weeks before I can give again. But maybe some of y’all can give for me. Following are some opportunities:

Blood and Platelet Donations Needed Every Day to Respond to Patient Emergencies

Columbia, S.C. – Like the Emergency Room of a hospital, the American Red Cross must be prepared to respond to patient emergencies with blood products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Through the everyday support and generosity of blood and platelet donors, the Red Cross can be prepared to do this day-in and day-out, no matter when or where these blood products are needed.

Each day, approximately 44,000 units of blood are needed for patients in the United States.  In fact, approximately every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood. All eligible donors are encouraged to become an Everyday supporter of the Red Cross and their communities by giving blood or platelets this winter.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities:

1/11 Blackville High School 76 Atkins Circle Blackville 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
1/12 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 2491 Emmanuel Church Road Cayce-West Columbia 3:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
1/13 Fairfield Memorial Hospital 102 US Hwy. 321 Bypass N. Winnsboro 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
1/15 Broadacres Baptist Church 2350 Taylor Road Cayce 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
1/17 DHEC 8911 Farrow Dr. Columbia 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
1/17 Corinth Lutheran Church 638 Corinth Road Saluda 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
1/17 Depot Thomson 136 Railroad St. Thomson 12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
1/18 Palmetto Health Baptist Medical Center 1501 Sumter St. Columbia 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
1/18 Palmetto Health Baptist Medical Center 1501 Sumter St. Columbia 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
1/18 Allendale County Hospital 1787 Allendale Fairfax Hwy. Fairfax 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
1/18 Doby’s Mill Elementary School 1964 Fort Jackson Road Lugoff 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
1/19 Department of Motor Vehicles 10311 Wilson Blvd. Blythewood 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
1/19 CMC Steel South Carolina 310 New State Road Cayce 7:00 a.m. noon
1/19 Lexington County Sheriff’s Department 521 Gibson Road Lexington 8:00 a.m. 5 p.m.
1/20 Swansea High School 500 E. First St. Swansea 8:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
1/21 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 246 St. Paul’s Church Road Gilbert 8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.
1/22 Tree of Life Congregation 6719 N. Trenholm Road Arcadia Lakes 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
1/23 County Emergency Medical SVC 407 Ball Park Road Lexington 4:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
1/24 Delta Air Lines 100 Delta Drive Augusta 1:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
1/24 BlueCross BlueShield 2401 Faraway Dr. Columbia 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
1/25 Aiken Mall 2441 Whiskey Road S. Aiken 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
1/25 Augusta State University 2500 Walton Way Augusta 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
1/25 Liberty Park 1040 Newmantown Road Grovetown 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
1/26 Lexington Medical Center 2720 Sunset Blvd. Cayce-West Columbia 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
1/26 Allstate Insurance Company 1400 Browning Road Columbia 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
1/26 Health & Human Services 1801 Main St. Columbia 10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
1/27 Brookland Cayce Gym 1300 State St. Cayce 8:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
1/29 Shandon United Methodist 3407 Devine St. Columbia 8:00 a.m. 12:45 p.m.
1/30 Red Bank Baptist Church 120 Community Dr. Lexington 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
1/31 S.C. Department of Agriculture 1000 block of Sumter St. Columbia 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
1/31 Columbia College 1300 Columbia College Dr. Columbia 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
1/31 Fortis College 246 Stoneridge Dr. #101 Columbia 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

Columbia Donation Center

2751 Bull St.

Columbia, S.C. 29201

Blood donation hours:
Monday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Platelet donation hours:
Sunday: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Monday: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

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