Red Cross announces Hampden County blood drive datesDate: 2/12/2015 GREATER SPRINGFIELD – The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient and diverse blood supply by giving blood this February.
Since the beginning of the year, widespread flu and inclement winter weather in some parts of the country have prevented many regular donors from making or keeping their blood donation appointments. Healthy and diverse blood donors are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply.
Diversity among blood donors is important because red blood cells carry markers that determine one’s blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups.
Blood must be matched very closely for those patients with rare blood types or for those who need repeated transfusions. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.
All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Upcoming Hampden County blood donation opportunities include:
Chicopee
Feb. 17: noon to 6 p.m., Moose Family Center, 244 Fuller Road.
East Longmeadow
Feb. 23: 1 to 7 p.m., Cornerstone Church, 15 Kibbe Road
Hampden
Feb. 26: 1 to 7 p.m., Bethlehem Baptist Church, 216 Allen St.
Longmeadow
Feb. 21: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Starbucks, 708 Bliss Road
Springfield
Feb. 16: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 17: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 18: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive; 1 to 7 p.m., Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road.
Feb. 19: noon to 6 p.m., Springfield College Judd Gymnasium, 263 Alden St.
Feb. 20: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 21: 8:15 a.m. - 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 22: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 23: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 24: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 25: 1 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 27: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Feb. 28: 8:15 a.m. - 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
West Springfield
Feb. 21: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 1552 Westfield St.
Westfield
Feb. 16: noon to 6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 60 Broad Street.
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