The Red Cross is urging eligible blood donors of all races and ethnicities as well as blood types to give blood. The agency says it’s in order to help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need. Communications manager Kristen Stancil says for some patients, the closer the match, the better.
“One good example I can give you is of someone who needs a frequent blood transfusion... like a sickle cell patient,” according to Stancil. “I know a young lady who receives blood transfusions every six to eight weeks and she must be matched with actual blood donors. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood that’s donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.”
Stancil says a diverse blood supply is critical to meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
“O-negative can be given to any patient, no matter blood type during an emergency. But there are going to be certain patients that hospitals not only look for a matching blood type, but they’re also going to look for certain antigens that match the patient.”
The Red Cross says donors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and all blood types are needed to help patients fight sickle cell disease, alpha thalassemia and other illnesses.
Upcoming donation opportunities:
10/1/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525-3527 Atlanta Highway Athens
10/1/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., BAPS Temple, 460 Rockbridge Road Lilburn
10/2/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens Orthopedic Clinic, 1765 Old West Broad St. Athens
10/2/2017: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525-3527 Atlanta Highway Athens
10/2/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church, 100 Lumpkin Campground Road South Dawsonville
10/2/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 123 Heard St. Elberton
10/3/2017: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525-3527 Atlanta Highway Athens
10/3/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., University of Georgia - Christian Campus Fellowship, 1080 South Milledge Ave. Athens
10/3/2017: 12:30 - 7:15 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
10/3/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., St. Anna's Catholic Church, 1401 Alcovy St. Monroe
10/4/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Winder Masonic Lodge, 83 Kelly Drive Winder
10/4/2017: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525-3527 Atlanta Highway Athens
10/4/2017: 12:30 - 5:30 p.m., The Community House, 601 Wyly St. Cornelia
10/4/2017: 12:30 - 7:15 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
10/4/2017: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Newton College and Career Academy, 144 Ram Drive Covington
10/5/2017: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525-3527 Atlanta Highway Athens
10/5/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of Georgia - College of Pharmacy, 250 West Green St. Athens
10/5/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., University of Georgia - Brumby Hall, 615 Baxter St. Athens
10/5/2017: 12:30 - 7:15 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
10/5/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of North Georgia - Student Center, 3820 Mundy Mill Road
