The American Red Cross encourages people to help meet the urgent need for blood by resolving to give blood this January – National Blood Donor Month.
Donating blood is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions – sometimes multiple times a week – until she underwent a liver transplant last January.
“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”
The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January. To encourage donations immediately, all those who come to donate by Jan. 6 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Another way to help keep the blood supply strong in the new year is to host a Red Cross blood drive. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 2-31
Blaine
Dunning
1/14/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sandhills Public School, 107 Gandy Avenue, PO Box 29
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Box Butte
Alliance
1/2/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Highland Park Care Center, 1633 Sweetwater Ave
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Cherry
Valentine
1/3/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Nicholas Catholic Church Parish Hall , 400 West 5th Street (Locally call Jeanie Cozad 402-376-4715)
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Custer
Arnold
1/21/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Community Center, 204 S Carroll St
Broken Bow
1/7/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center, 145 Memorial Drive, PO Box 250
1/29/2019: 1 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Municipal Building, 314 S. 10th
Sargent
1/28/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Community Center, 305 Main St.
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Grant
Hyannis
1/23/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Winters Building, 300 South Main
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Greeley
Greeley
1/30/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Valley Auditorium, 310 N. Clair Street, P O BOX 100
Spalding
1/15/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Spalding City Auditorium, St. Joseph Ave.
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Holt
Ewing
1/22/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., United Methodist Presbyterian Church, 119 North Spruce St.
Stuart
1/9/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Stuart Auditorium, 2nd and Parnell
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Hooker
Mullen
1/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sandhills Community Bible Church, 84242 S HWY 97, PO Box 372
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Howard
Elba
1/10/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Elba Community Center, 517 12th Street, PO Box 31
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Rock
Bassett
1/21/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bassett United Methodist Church, 300 W Florence
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Sherman
Litchfield
1/30/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Winters Building, 204 N. Main
Loup City
1/2/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loup City Community Center, 803 O St
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Valley
Arcadia
1/31/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Arcadia Public School, 320 W. Owens St.
Ord
1/3/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Valley County Health System Foundation, 207 S. 26th St.
1/15/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Veteran’s Club, 246 S. 15th St.
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Wheeler
Bartlett
1/9/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Wheeler Central High School, 600 Randolph St.
How to donate blood
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 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.