September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions.
The National Cancer Institute estimated that more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. would be diagnosed with cancer last year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.
Cancer and cancer treatments can put patients at risk for low red blood cell and platelet counts. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, lowering the production of red blood cells and platelets. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma attack the bone marrow as well. Blood and platelet transfusions can enable patients to receive critical treatments needed to fight and survive cancer.
Platelet donors and blood donors of all blood types are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a summer blood shortage. As a thank-you, those who come to give Aug. 30-Sept. 3 will receive a unique Red Cross canvas tote bag, while supplies last.
Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Blood drives are also essential in helping ensure blood is available for patients this winter. To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Who blood donations help
In October 2018, what began as a normal toddler’s ear infection changed the Corbeau family’s life forever. Beth and Matt Corbeau’s 2-year-old son, Jackson, was running a high fever. He was taken to urgent care and diagnosed with a simple ear infection and prescribed antibiotics. After a few days, Jackson’s fever failed to subside, and he became increasingly more lethargic. His parents decided it was time to have him seen again.
After a quick visit to Jackson’s primary care physician, they were advised that he was anemic and were instructed to take him to the local emergency room. Five grueling hours after arriving at the ER, the Corbeau’s were introduced to a pediatric oncologist. Beth recalls that moment, “As soon as she introduced herself as a pediatric oncologist, I felt the room get extremely small. I don’t remember anything that was said that afternoon after she said the word ‘leukemia.’”
In the first few days after diagnosis, Jackson received red blood cell and platelet transfusions to prepare him to have a port placed in his chest to receive chemotherapy treatments. He has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and has received approximately seven units of blood and four units of platelets during his treatment so far.
“Our family is so grateful to blood and platelet donors who so generously make time to share their good health with patients like Jackson,” says Beth Corbeau. “It’s easy to forget about the importance of blood donations if you don’t know someone in need, but it’s something I will never take for granted again.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 30-Sept. 15
GA
Clarke
Athens
8/26/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
8/26/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Catholic Center, 1344 South Lumpkin Street
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Jackson
Jefferson
8/26/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 246 Washington Street
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Clarke
Athens
8/27/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
8/27/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Delta Delta Delta, 1111 South Milledge Ave.
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Habersham
Demorest
8/27/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Piedmont College, 165 Central Avenue
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Hall
Gainesville
8/27/2019: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Chestatee High School, 3005 Sardis Road
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Clarke
Athens
8/28/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Clarke Central High School, 350 S. Milledge Avenue
8/28/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Habersham
Clarkesville
8/28/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., North Georgia Tech, Hwy 197
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Clarke
Athens
8/29/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
8/29/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Classic City High School, 440 Dearing Ext.
8/29/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Vet School, 501 Brooks Drive
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Putnam
Eatonton
8/29/2019: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., City Hut, 400 West Marion Street/Lafayette Street
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Clarke
Athens
8/30/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Oconee
Watkinsville
8/30/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oconee Veterans Park Community Center, 3500 Hog Mountain Road
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Clarke
Athens
8/31/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/1/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/2/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/3/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Gainesville
9/3/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Brenau University, 200 Boulevard
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Newton
Covington
9/3/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Central Community Church, 11157 City Pond Road
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Barrow
Winder
9/4/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winder Public Library, 189 Bellview Street
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Clarke
Athens
9/4/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Flowery Branch
9/4/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sterling on the Lake Clubhouse, 7005 Lake Sterling Blvd.
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Walton
Monroe
9/4/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Walton EMC, 842 U.S. Hwy 78 NW
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Clarke
Athens
9/5/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/5/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens Technical College- Student Ctr Spring, 800 US Hwy 29 North
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Barrow
Winder
9/6/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winder First United Methodist Church, 280 North Broad Street
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Clarke
Athens
9/6/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Gainesville
9/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville P&R Martha Hope Cabin, 528 Prior St NE
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Madison
Danielsville
9/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Madison Co. Board of Commissioners, 91 Albany Ave.
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Clarke
Athens
9/7/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/8/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Barrow
Bethlehem
9/9/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 709 Christmas Avenue
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Clarke
Athens
9/9/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Oakwood
9/9/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Oakwood Elementary School, 4500 Allen St
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Walton
Loganville
9/9/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Walnut Grove High School, 4863 Guthrie Cemetery Road
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Clarke
Athens
9/10/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Tate Student Center, UGA Tate Student Center
9/10/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Jackson
Commerce
9/10/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Civic Center, 110 State St.
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Richmond
Augusta
9/10/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 100 Delta Drive
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Clarke
Athens
9/11/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Cofer's, 1145 Mitchell Bridge Rd.
9/11/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/12/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/12/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., University of Georgia Health Center, 55 Carlton Street
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Gilmer
Ellijay
9/12/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ellijay Lions Club Building, 1729 South Main Street
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Habersham
Clarkesville
9/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Clarkesville Community, Bethlehem Baptist Church, 624 Hwy 197 North
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Clarke
Athens
9/13/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Fannin
Blue Ridge
9/13/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Faith Presbyterian Church, 56 Mountain Street
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Pickens
Jasper
9/13/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., F & A Masons of Jasper, GA Lodge 220, 193 Old Federal Road
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Clarke
Athens
9/14/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Morgan
Rutledge
9/14/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Union Springs Baptist Church, 1400 West Main St.
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Clarke
Athens
9/15/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/16/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/16/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Creswell Community, 415 Baxter Street
9/17/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Athens Christian School, 1270 Hwy 29 North
9/17/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Jackson
Pendergrass
9/17/2019: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Ten Cate Pendergrass, 365 South Holland Drive
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Walton
Monroe
9/17/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Walker Park Elementary School, 333 Carl Davis Road
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Clarke
Athens
9/18/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Janssen/Training Center, 1440 Olympic Drive
9/18/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Red Cross Club, Tate Student Center, University of Georgia
9/18/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/19/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Gainesville
9/19/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville P&R Martha Hope Cabin, 528 Prior St NE
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Lumpkin
Dahlonega
9/19/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lumpkin County Library, 342 Courthouse Hill
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Rabun
Clayton
9/19/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Clayton Baptist Church Ministry Activity Center, 87 S. Church Street
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Clarke
Athens
9/20/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Pickens
Jasper
9/20/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pickens County Recreation & Parks Dept., 1329 Camp Rd
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Clarke
Athens
9/21/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/22/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Oconee
Watkinsville
9/22/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Athens Church of Christ, 3720 Mars Hill Road
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Clarke
Athens
9/23/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Walton
Monroe
9/23/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 400 S. Broad Street
9/23/2019: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Center Hill Baptist Church of Gratis, 2940 Gratis Road
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Clarke
Athens
9/24/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hart
Hartwell
9/24/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hartwell First UMC, 200 East Howell Street
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Oconee
Watkinsville
9/24/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of North GA Oconee Campus Bldg 500, 1201 Bishop Farms Pkwy
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Clarke
Athens
9/25/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stegeman Coliseum, Stegeman Coliseum, 100 Smith Street
9/25/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
9/25/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., UGA Kappa Sigma House, 160 River Rd.
9/26/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
Winterville
9/26/2019: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nakanishi Manufacturing Corporation, 1225 Voyles Road
Athens
9/27/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
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Hall
Gainesville
9/27/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Johnson High School, 3305 Poplar Springs Rd
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Walton
Loganville
9/27/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Loganville First United Methodist Church, 221 Main Street
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Clarke
Athens
9/28/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
How to donate blood
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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org.