To ensure that there will be supply to cover medical treatments and emergencies during the coming holiday season, the American Red Cross issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donations.
Typically, donations decline in the holiday months due to busy schedules and weather events that lead to the cancellation of blood drives.
Donors who give blood or platelets before Dec. 19 will receive a $5 Amazon.com giftcard. For more information and restrictions, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
To make a donation appointment by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.
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.
Other ways to assist are hosting a Red Cross blood drive or volunteering as a transportation specialist making deliveries to local hospitals. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Carroll County between Nov. 26-Dec. 19 include:
Eldersburg
Dec. 19: 2-7 p.m., Eldersburg Library, 6400 W. Hemlock Drive
Hampstead
Dec. 3: 1:30-7 p.m., St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1373 N. Main St.
Marriottsville
Dec. 13: 2-6 p.m., Bon Secours Retreat & Conf. Center, 1525 Marriottsville Road
Sykesville
Tuesday, Nov. 27: 2-7:30 p.m., Winfield Fire Hall, 1320 West Old Liberty Road
Dec. 3: 2-7:30 p.m., Freedom Optimist Community Center, 6315 Sykesville Road
Taneytown
Carroll County Breaking News
Dec. 19: 1-6:30 p.m., Taneytown VFC Activities, 49 Memorial Drive
Westminster
Monday, Nov. 26: 2-7:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St.
Dec. 7: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Carroll County Office Building, 225 N. Center St.
Dec. 10: 1:307 p.m., Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company, 1745 Baltimore Blvd.
Dec. 10: 2-8 p.m., St. John Catholic Church, 45 Monroe St.
Dec. 18: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Carroll County Board of Education, 125 N. Court St.
Dec. 19: 2-7:30 p.m., VFW Post 467, 519 Poole Road