The American Red Cross has scheduled a series of special blood drives across north Georgia between now and Jan. 14, starting today.
Millions of people are expected to take to the roads, rail and air to celebrate the holidays, which can cause fewer donors to be available and lead to a decline in blood and platelet donations. In addition, severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses can temporarily prevent some from giving. Donors with all blood types are needed now to help patients. Those who come out to give Dec. 22 through Jan. 8 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
“Many of us celebrate this time of year with loved ones, but patients may spend the holidays and ring in the new year from a hospital room,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Blood and platelet donors can bring joy to patients and their families by giving blood or platelets to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving treatments they need.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
12/22/2016: 3 - 7 p.m., St. Edwards Episcopal, 737 Moon Road Lawrenceville
12/22/2016: 1 - 6 p.m., Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, 1331 New High Shoals Road Watkinsville
12/22/2016: 2 - 7 p.m., Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 243 Collier Road Toccoa
12/22/2016: 12 - 5 p.m., Walton EMC, 842 U.S. Highway 78 NW Monroe
12/22/2016: 12:30 - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 25 Church St. Cleveland
12/23/2016: 12 - 5 p.m., Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive Buford
12/23/2016: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastside Medical Center, 1700 Medical Way Snellville
12/23/2016: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/23/2016: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation, 365 Riley Road Dahlonega
12/24/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive Buford
12/24/2016: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/26/2016: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/27/2016: 2 - 7 p.m., Auburn First Baptist Church, 1385 6th Ave. Auburn
12/27/2016: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/27/2016: 2 - 7 p.m., Jackson EMC, 85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull
12/27/2016: 2 - 6 p.m., Kroger, 3139 U.S. Highway 278 NE Covington
12/28/2016: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lilburn Municipal Complex, 76 Main St. Lilburn
12/28/2016: 12 - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green St. NW Gainesville
12/28/2016: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/28/2016: 2 - 6 p.m., Braselton Police and Municipal Court Building, 5040 Highway 53 Braselton
12/28/2016: 2 - 7 p.m., The Meeting House, 5615 Grand Reunion Drive Hoschton
12/29/2016: 2:30 - 7:30 p.m., Regal Cinemas Stadium 14, 2125 East Main St. Snellville
12/29/2016: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 250 Furniture Drive Cornelia
12/29/2016: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bell Family YMCA, 281 Opal St. Extension Hartwell
12/29/2016: 1 - 6 p.m., Nicholson Community Center, 175 Lakeview Drive Nicholson
12/29/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oxford City Hall, 110 West Clark St. Oxford
12/29/2016: 2 - 7 p.m., Crossroads Baptist Church, 227 Hightway 229 Social Circle
12/30/2016: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m., Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road Snellville
12/30/2016: 3 - 7 p.m., Walmart, 1550 Scenic Highway Snellville
12/30/2016: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
12/30/2016: 1 - 7 p.m., Loganville First United Methodist Church, 221 Main St. Loganville
12/31/2016: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/2/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., Jersey Mike's, 2050 Highway 124 Snellville
1/2/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/2/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., City Hut, 400 West Marion St./Lafayette St. Eatonton
1/3/2017: 1 - 5 p.m., Fairview Presbyterian, 857 Duluth Highway Lawrenceville
1/3/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/3/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Danielsville Fire Department, 42 Crawford W Long St. Danielsville
1/3/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., The Cross Church, 3275 Tig Knight Road Loganville
1/4/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Carnesville Community, 9265 Lavonia Road Carnesville
1/4/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., Zoar United Methodist Church, 3895 Zoar Church Road Centerville Branch
1/4/2017: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cornerstone Coworking, 279 West Crogan St. Lawrenceville
1/4/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., Berkmar United Methodist Church, 675 Pleasant Hill Road Lilburn
1/4/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/5/2017: 2:30 - 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Lilburn, 285 Main St. Lilburn
1/5/2017: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m., Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road Snellville
1/5/2017: 1 - 7 p.m., Bethlehem Baptist Church, 624 Highway 197 North Clarkesville
1/5/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, 1266 Highway 515 South Jasper
1/6/2017: 12 - 6 p.m., Winder First United Methodist Church, 280 North Broad St. Winder
1/6/2017: 2 - 6 p.m., Primrose School at Johns Creek, 7396 McGinnis Ferry Road Suwanee
1/6/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/6/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Higher Grounds Coffee House, 6700 GA-53 Braselton
1/7/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 Church St. Lilburn
1/7/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/8/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 1001 Duluth Highway Lawrenceville
1/9/2017: 12 - 5 p.m., Harbins Elementary School, 3550 New Hope Road Dacula
1/9/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., Ingleside Presbyterian Church, 1001 Old Snellville Highway Lawrenceville
1/9/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/9/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., The Church At Covington, 11975 Highway 142 North Oxford
1/10/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lincoln Property Company, 1735 North Brown Road, Suite 100 Lawrenceville
1/10/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., Sterling on the Lake Clubhouse, 7005 Lake Sterling Blvd. Flowery Branch
1/10/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/10/2017: 12 - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Commerce, 1345 South Elm St. Commerce
1/11/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., Franklin Springs City Hall, 2531 West Main St. Franklin Springs
1/11/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/12/2017: 12 - 6 p.m., Piedmont Hospital and Community Building, 824 Industrial Blvd. Ellijay
1/12/2017: 2 - 6 p.m., Appletree Prep, 2881 Monroe Highway Bogart
1/13/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., Grayson United Methodist Church, 555 Grayson Parkway Grayson
1/13/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
1/13/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., New Life Outreach Christian Center, 206 Agnes Drive Eatonton
1/14/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lucerne Baptist Church, 4805 Stone Mountain Highway Lilburn
1/14/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gainesville Blood Donation Center, 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway SW Gainesville
How to donate blood
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.
