The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone to help kick cancer in a possibly unexpected way - donating blood for its platelets.
"For many cancer patients facing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, platelets – a clotting component of blood – can help give them the strength they need to fight another day," the organization said in a release.
The problem is that platelet donations must be used within five days, meaning donations are constantly needed to meet patient demand.
"Some cancers and certain types of chemotherapy drugs and radiation can damage bone marrow, where red blood cells and platelets are produced," said Dr. Pampee P. Young, American Red Cross chief medical officer.
"Platelet transfusions, in particular, are needed to prevent life-threatening bleeding and help cancer patients continue receiving lifesaving treatments."
In addition to cancer patients, platelets and blood are needed every day for lifesaving surgeries, traumas and those living with blood disorders. The Red Cross must collect more than 2,500 platelet and about 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. In the Southern Blood Services Region, 105 platelet and 568 blood donations are needed each day.
To donate, the American Red Cross has the following blood donation opportunities coming up this week:
3-20-2019:
- 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Clarke Central High School, 350 S. Milledge Avenue
- 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
- 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., University of Georgia BioChemistry Graduate Students Association, 120 East Green Street
- 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., UGA Kappa Sigma House, 160 River Rd.
3-21-2019:
- 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens Technical College- Student Ctr Spring, 800 US Hwy 29 North
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Vet School, 501 Brooks Drive
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Tate Student Center, UGA Tate Student Center
3-22-2019:
- 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
3-23-2019:
7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
3-24-2019:
- 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
3-25-2019:
- 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
- 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Brumby Hall, Brumby Hall, 615 Baxter Street