RALEIGH, N.C. (January 6, 2022) — The American Red Cross and ABC11 with Radio One Raleigh and Univision 40 invite blood donors to be the lifeline for patients by giving blood at the ABC11 Together Blood Drives. Healthy donors of all blood types are urged to help support patients in need by rolling up a sleeve on Wednesday, Jan. 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Crabtree Marriott Raleigh, Durham County Main Library and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
“Every day, Red Cross blood donors have an opportunity to help patients in need, and the loved ones rallying behind them as they battle serious medical conditions,” said Garrett Reid, Regional Donor Services Executive, American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina. “Busy schedules, breaks from school, holiday travel and winter weather all contribute to a dip in blood donations this time of year. Unless more donors give, some patients requiring transfusion may not receive the blood products they need.”
Medical conditions and emergencies don’t stop for a pandemic, seasonal illness or winter weather. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
“Communities across the country are experiencing one of the worst blood shortages in over a decade,” said Monica Barnes, ABC11 Community Engagement Director. “ABC11 is proud to team up with Radio One Raleigh, Univision 40, Crabtree Marriott Raleigh, Durham County Main Library and Fayetteville Technical Community College, to bring attention to the need for blood donors during this critical time.”
You can help ensure blood is on the shelves when patients need it by urging donors to give now. To make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code ABC11.
All presenting donors will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt and a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email. Those who come to give will also get a free medium 1-topping pizza code from Papa John’s and a voucher for a free Medium Iced Coffee and a free Classic Donut, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants - while supplies last.
And thanks to the partnership between the Red Cross and NFL, donors will be automatically entered to win a getaway to next year's Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles! As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate in January will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022
Crabtree Marriott Raleigh
4500 Marriott Drive
Raleigh, NC 27612
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Tony Rand Student Center
2220 Hull Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Durham County Main Library
300 N. Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27701
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
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 not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
