Make a plan to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross this fall

$10 Amazon.com gift card by email for coming to give Sept. 22-Oct. 19

American Red Cross Press Release

As fall officially begins, the American Red Cross urges people to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are needed now.

For many, daily routines shift as the seasons change, but blood and platelet donations must remain top of mind. Every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on critical transfusions, including car accident victims, those living with sickle cell disease, and those facing cancer, get the care they need.

Fall into donating blood or platelets. Make an appointment to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross blood donor app. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 22-Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Erie County

Akron

• Oct. 2: 1:30-6 p.m., American Legion LL Tillman Post 900, 9 Eckerson Ave.

Buffalo

• Oct. 1: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Co No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• Oct. 3: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave
• Oct. 15: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., University at Buffalo South Campus, Harriman Hall, 60 Diefendorf Loop
• Oct. 15: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Co No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

East Aurora

• Oct. 7: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

Grand Island

• Oct. 4: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grand Island Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road

Hamburg

• Oct. 2: 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway
• Oct. 15: 1-6 p.m., Lake Shore Public Library, 4857 Lake Shore Road

Orchard Park

• Oct. 10: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

Springville

• Oct. 15: 1-6 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

Tonawanda

• Oct. 4: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

West Seneca

• Oct. 14: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

Niagara County

Lewiston

• Oct. 8: 1:30-6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St

Lockport

• Oct. 14: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

Newfane

• Oct. 13: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

Niagara Falls

• Oct. 11: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive

Ransomville

• Oct. 6: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, 4671 Townline Road

The Red Cross provides lifesaving blood products to all hospital systems within the Western New York chapter. In addition to providing lifesaving blood products, the Red Cross mobilizes relief to families affected by disasters, trains people in lifesaving skills, and provides services to active and veteran U.S. military personnel and their families. Donors can feel good knowing that, by supporting the Red Cross, they can help family and friends in their communities and across the country.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

More about the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.