The American Red Cross wants eligible donors to give blood or platelets now and into the new year. That’s because donations tend to decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available, and winter storms cancel blood drives.
All blood types are needed during winter. Platelet donations are encouraged the first week of the new year, which is among the most difficult times to collect enough to meet patient needs.
Here are some donation opportunities in the area:
» 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at IHOP/Culver’s, 54 Johnson Blvd., Columbus
» 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 4 at Walmart, 2380 State Road 3 North, North Vernon
» 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus
» 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main St., Hope
Donation appointments can be scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.
