Donated blood is perishable and must constantly be replenished to keep up with hospital patient need. Red blood cells are the blood component most frequently transfused by hospitals and must be used within 42 days of donation.
Eligible donors can give red blood cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a Power Red donation, where available. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
While donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood, type O, A negative and B negative donors are urged to give Power Reds if they meet the additional eligibility criteria. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Similarly, type O positive can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients. Power Red donations help ensure a stable supply of these critical blood types.
Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, up
to six times a year, and Power Red donations may be made every 112 days, up to
three times per year.
Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood
Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming
blood donation opportunities:
American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers:
Allegany
Caneadea
4/17/2017:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Caneadea Town Hall, 8911 NY 19
Fillmore
4/24/2017:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centerville Fire Department, County Road 3
_______________
Cattaraugus
Cattaraugus
4/20/2017:
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cattaraugus-Little Valley High School, 25 North Franklin
Street
Delevan
4/26/2017:
1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Delevan Fire Fighters Training Center, 1006 North Main
Street
Gowanda
4/21/2017:
10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Gowanda Correctional Facility Visit Hospitality Center,
350 South Road
4/26/2017:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 409, 100 Legion Drive
Hinsdale
4/21/2017:
10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hinsdale High School, 3701 Main Street
Little
Valley
4/21/2017:
11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Little Valley UMC, 109 Court Street
Olean
4/29/2017:
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Olean Family YMCA, 1101 Wayne Street
Otto
4/18/2017:
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 9037 Otto-East Otto Rd, County Route
12
Saint
Bonaventure
4/19/2017:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Bonaventure University Shay Lo Dorm, Rt 417 W State
Street
4/20/2017:
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Bonaventure University Shay Lo Dorm, Rt 417 W State Street
Salamanca
4/21/2017:
12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lionel R John Health Center, 987 R C Hoag Drive
_______________
Wyoming
Attica
4/19/2017:
1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ss. Joachim and Anne Parish, Walnut Street Entrance
_______________
How to help
Simply
download the American Red Cross
Blood Donor App,
visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED
CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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
donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and
learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the
instructions on the site.
Another way to support the lifesaving mission
of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist
and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer
transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample
blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For
more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist
position,visit rdcrss.org/driver.
