With influenza season upon us, the American Red Cross wants to get debunk the myth that the flu vaccine makes donors temporarily ineligible to give blood.
The organization says there is no waiting period after a flu shot as long they are symptom and fever-free.
Ronnika McFall is with Red Cross Communications says there is currently a serious need.
“Right now, the American Red Cross has a critical need for donors of all blood types to give blood,” according to McFall. “Platelet donors and type O blood donors are especially needed right now.”
McFall says every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. The Red Cross needs to collect about 2500 platelet donations and 13,000 blood donations for patients in about 2500 hospitals every day.
Nearly 40% of Americans can give, but only about 10% of those eligible actually do.
Those who can’t donate can help by hosting a blood drive, either in person or online.
“That’s called a ‘Sleeves Up’ campaign. A “Sleeves Up campaign is like a virtual blood drive, where anyone can sign up though your link to donate blood at any blood drive in their area. So you can be in Georgia but then your cousin who is in Mississippi can donate on your behalf.”
For more information visit redcrossblood.org/sleevesup.
Upcoming area blood drives:
Clarke
Athens
10/25/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
Clarke
Athens
10/26/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
10/27/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
10/28/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
10/28/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Myers Lobby, 310 Sanford Drive
10/28/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Lambda Chi Alpha, 990 South Milledge Ave.
Jackson
Jefferson
10/28/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 246 Washington Street
Clarke
Athens
10/29/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Cedar Shoals High School, 1300 Cedar Shoals Drive
10/29/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
Madison
Madison
10/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Colin P. Kelley Fitness & Wellness Center- Bldg. 12, 325 NW Turner Davis Drive.
Clarke
City High School, 440 Dearing Ext.
10/30/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Georgia Health Sciences University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership Russell Hall, University of Georgia - Georgia Health Sciences Campus, George Hall
10/30/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr
Clarke
Athens
10/31/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr.
