Red Cross to host local blood drives

Date: 11/10/2017

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.

Mike Healey’s son was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds, and immediately needed blood.

“I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then,” he said. Though Healey’s son spent his first 49 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he has thrived and is now a healthy, 10-year-old little league baseball player. “I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son.”

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS (733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Agawam

Nov. 24: Agawam Fire Department, 800 Main St., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chicopee

Nov. 17: Chico­pee High School, 820 Front St., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nov. 24: Moose Family Center, 244 Fuller Road, noon to 6 p.m.

Springfield

Nov. 16: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 150 Brookdale Drive, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 17: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 18: Springfield Blood Donation Center,  8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 19: Eastfield Mall, 1655 Boston Road, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Nov. 20: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 21: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 22: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 23: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Nov. 24: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 25: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 26: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 27: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 28: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 29: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 30: Springfield Blood Donation Center, 1:15 to 6:30 p.m.

West Springfield

Nov. 16: West Springfield Middle School, 31 Middle School Drive, 2 to 7 p.m.
Nov. 18: St. Thomas the Apostle School, 75 Pine St. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westfield

Nov. 24: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 60 Broad St., 1 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 29: Westfield State University Parenzo Gym, Western Avenue, 1 to 7 p.m.