Trauma cases can rise around summer holidays - help save lives by giving blood or platelets now

Red Cross solar lantern, chance to win an American Adventure for coming to give by end of May

Submitted by the American Red Cross 

Emergencies don’t take a holiday. As we observe Memorial Day, the American Red Cross urges donors to keep the blood supply top of mind and help save lives by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

Immediate access to blood products is a key part of summer safety. With millions of Americans expected to travel and engage in water sports, boating, camping and other outdoor activities, the risk of accidents increases. Though it can be a busy time, making and keeping blood donation appointments remains a critical priority in May during Trauma Awareness Month.

Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are essential right now to meet the needs of hospitals. Volunteer blood donors can be the light in a patient’s recovery, especially accident victims who may require hundreds of blood units through transfusions.

Shine a light on saving lives. Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross blood donor app.

Those who come to give by May 31 will receive an exclusive Red Cross solar lantern, while supplies last. Plus, all who come to give in May will be automatically entered for a chance to win a U.S. trip of their choice for two. Full details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/May.

Those who come to give in June will get a $15 Amazon.com gift card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Erie County

•Akron

• June 5: 1:30-6 p.m., American Legion L.L. Tillman Post 900, 9 Eckerson Ave.

•Buffalo

• May 28: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• June 4: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• June 7: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• June 12: noon-6 p.m., American Red Cross WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Cheektowaga

• June 3: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sisters of Charity St Joseph Campus, 2605 Harlem Road 

•East Aurora

• June 3: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Grand Island

• June 14: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Grand Island Fire Co. Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road

•Hamburg

• June 4: 1-6 p.m., Lake Shore Public Library, 4857 Lake Shore Road
• June 5: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

•Lackawanna

• June 3: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 South Park Ave.

•Lancaster

• June 10: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lancaster Community, Lancaster PAC building, 12 W. Main St.

•Orchard Park

• May 28: 2-7 p.m., Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4520 California Road
• June 13: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

Niagara County

•Lewiston

• June 5: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sisters of St. Francis, 4421 Lower River Road
• June 11: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

• June 2: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Lockport Fire Company firehall, 5666 Transit Road
• June 7: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.
• June 10: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Niagara Falls

• June 6: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino (hotel side), 310 Fourth St. 

•Wilson

• June 9: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wilson First Baptist Church, 265 Pettit St.