In an effort to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season – a time when blood and platelet donations often decline – the American Red Cross will have the following drives in Walworth County before the end of the year.
The following area blood drives are scheduled:
- Dec. 21 – Lake Geneva United Methodist Church, 912 Geneva St., from 1 to 6 p.m.;
- Dec. 27 – Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W. Geneva St., Delavan, from noon to 6 p.m.
To donate, individuals need a donor card, driver’s license or other government-issued identification and need to feel well the day of the donation. Donors must know the name of the medications they are taking or have taken in the past month. They must be at least 17 years old or 16 years old with parental consent to donate blood and must weight at least 110 pounds.
As influenza activity picks up, the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients in need.
One way to maintain health is to get a flu vaccine each fall. There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after getting a flu vaccine as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever free.
Allergies are generally not a cause for deferral. People may donate after all cold and flu symptoms have subsided.
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-733-2767 or download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To learn more about hosting a blood drive visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
