April is coming to a close, but the American Red Cross wants eligible blood donors to know that there is still time and give blood before the end of National Volunteer Month. Ronnika McFall is a spokesperson with the organization.
"With no substitute for blood, and no way to manufacturer it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions."
While all donors are welcome, those with Type O blood are particularly urged to give. McFall says nearly 2.6 million donors donate blood every year.
"Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and the Red Cross must collect 13,000 blood donations every single day. Here in Georgia, we need to collect around 586 blood donations every single day. We are counting on the generosity of our blood donors to continue to share their health."
The Red Cross is also testing every donation for COVID-19 antibodies to provide convalescent plasma for coronavirus patients.
"If a donor is eligible and feeling well, they can make an appointment today."
Those who can’t give are asked to consider hosting a blood drive.
Schedule a donation appointment by downloading the 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.
Area Blood Drives:
Clarke
Athens
4/27/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., University of Georgia Memorial Hall, 101 Sanford Drive
4/27/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
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Jackson
Jefferson
4/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fire Training Center, 64 Fowler Drive
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Madison
Danielsville
4/27/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Madison County Library, 1315 Highway 98 West
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Clarke
Athens
4/28/2021: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
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Jackson
Hoschton
4/28/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Meeting House, 5615 Grand Reunion Drive
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Clarke
Athens
4/29/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
4/30/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
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