Red Cross announces upcoming July blood drivesDate: 7/10/2015 GREATER SPRINGFIELD – The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help offset a seasonal decline in donations and prevent a shortage this summer by giving blood.
During June, July and August, there are about two fewer donors than needed at each Red Cross blood drive. This can add up to more than 100,000 fewer donations during the summer.
Many schools that host blood drives are out of session, and vacation schedules can make regular donors less available – both contributing to the seasonal decline.
Donors of all blood types – especially those with types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed to help ensure blood products are available to hospital patients this summer.
Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure and supplies critical proteins for clotting immunity. It is often needed for burn, trauma and cancer patients.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
Agawam
July 31: noon to 6 p.m., Agawam Fire Department, 800 Main St.
East Longmeadow
July 20: noon to 6 p.m., Cornerstone Church, 15 Kibbe Road.
Feeding Hills
July 21: noon to 5 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 1061 Springfield St.
Ludlow
July 20: 1 to 7 p.m., Ludlow Elks Lodge, 69 Chapin St.
Southwick
July 26: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Daily Grind, 568 College Hwy.
Springfield
July 16: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tower Square, 1500 Main St.; 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
July 17 to 19: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
July 20 to 22: 12:45 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
July 24 to 26: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
July 24: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., TD Bank, 1441 Main St.
July 27 to 29: 12:45 to 6:30 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
July 31: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive.
Westfield
July 30: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Multicultural Community Services, 3 State St.
Wilbraham
July 18: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Wilbraham Fire Department, 2770 Boston Road.
South Hadley
July 27: noon to 6 p.m., Our Savior's Lutheran, 319 Granby Road.
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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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