ST. GEORGE — This January, during National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to roll up their sleeves and give blood to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.
Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January to not only honor blood and platelet donors but also to help increase donations during the winter months. Maintaining a sufficient blood supply for patients is difficult at this time of year because extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often affect donor turnout.
Karla Essmiller became a blood donor in college, but the importance of giving blood hit home when several family members had medical emergencies.
“It only takes once sitting in a hospital, praying that your loved one will live through the day, to know how thankful you are for every single thing done to help them,” she said. “Donating blood is a simple gift that I can make that may help up to three people live another day. That makes me feel like a hero.”
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B negative and A negative. To encourage donations, all those who donate Jan. 1-3 will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, go online or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Iron County
- Cedar City
- Jan. 5 | 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Convergys, 2460 W. Highway 56, Suite 1
- Jan. 6 | 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Lin’s, 150 N. Main Street
- Jan. 11 | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | State Bank of Southern Utah, 377 N. Main Street
- Jan. 12 | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | State Bank of Southern Utah, 377 N. Main Street
- Enoch
- Jan. 6 | 1:30-7 p.m. | West Stake, 3575 N. Minersville Highway
Washington County
- Hurricane
- Jan. 14 | 1:30-7 p.m. | Hurricane 10th Ward Red Brick Chapel, 274 S. 100 West
- St. George
- Jan. 2 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6
- Jan. 4 | 1-6 p.m. | St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6
- Jan. 7 | 1:30-7:15 p.m. | St. George Utah Stake Center, 591 W. 500 North
- Jan. 8 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6
- Jan. 8 | 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. | St. George City Offices, 175 E. 200 North
- Jan. 11 | 1-6 p.m. | St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6
- Jan. 15 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B6
Beaver County
- Beaver
- Jan. 7 | 1:30-7 p.m., Beaver 3rd, 4th and 5th Ward Chapel, 220 N. Main Street
Emery County
- Huntington
- Jan. 7 | 1-7 p.m. | Huntington Stake, 200 N. Main Street
Millard County
- Fillmore
- Jan. 13 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Millard High School, 200 W. Center Street
Sevier County
- Richfield
- Jan. 13 | 1-7 p.m. | Richfield Stake Center, 801 N. 500 East
- Salina
- Jan. 14 | 1-7 p.m. | Salina Utah Stake, 98 W. 400 North
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, go online or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or to get more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, go online and follow the instructions on the site.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews