Plenty of people let their hair down or let a seam out as they celebrated over the holidays.
Now, on behalf of the American Red Cross, we can roll our sleeves up.
The next bloodmobile visit to Hood River will be Jan. 28 (details on page B2).
January is a challenging time for blood donations, between the effects of inclement weather and cold and flu season. This comes along with National Blood Donor Month, celebrated in January since 1970, to raise awareness of the need for blood during the winter and throughout the year, while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.
To learn more, or to schedule a donation, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Speaking of sleeves, American Red Cross supporters have a new way to help save lives through blood and platelet donation with “SleevesUp” virtual blood drives. The drive lets those who feel passionate about blood donation create a virtual blood drive and encourage colleagues, friends and family members to give blood or platelets, or make a financial donation to support their campaign. SleevesUp campaigns allow people to honor someone’s life, celebrate a special occasion or simply bring others together to help save lives — any time of the year — regardless of location.
Learn more at redcrossblood.org.
A SleevesUp virtual blood drive can be created online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp in just a few minutes. Once a campaign is created, others can pledge their support immediately by making an appointment to donate blood or platelets at a blood drive or donation center convenient for them. Those who are not eligible to give blood, do not have a Red Cross blood donation opportunity near them or simply want to do more can also support a SleevesUp campaign by making a financial donation to the Red Cross Blood Services.
Late in making a resolution? Already broken one made in December? Resolving to roll up your sleeves to help Red Cross in 2015 is a healthy response to a common experience.
Blood flows through all our veins, and most people have no impediment to donating. For those who hesitate, or who cannot for medical or personal reasons, SleevesUp is a prime opportunity.
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