There will be a blood drive this Wednesday, May 24 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Town Hall Auditorium. Both whole blood* and power red** (formerly called double red) donations will be available. Speed up the process by using RapidPass® on the day of your appointment.

Come give for an exclusive Red Cross beach towel, while supplies last!  PLUS get a chance to win a 4-night trip for 2 to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle!  Includes flights, hotel, $750 gift card and more.  See  rcblood.org/team.

Every time you donate blood or platelets, you’re helping people with cancer, trauma patients, premature babies and organ transplants; just to name a few.  Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.  The American Red Cross relies on the generosity of donors like you, to help provide hope and life to those patients in need.

Make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, download the Blood Donor app, or go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter zip code 12054 under “Zip or Sponsor Code”.  Walk-ins allowed as time permits, those with scheduled appointments take priority.

Spread the word!

Who Can You Help by Donating Blood?

Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

I Don’t Like Needles

You’re not alone: fear of needles certainly prevents some people from donating blood. But if you’re willing to spend a few minutes facing your fears (donating really can be that fast) you may find that the satisfaction you feel makes it worth it. Take Pride: Try to focus on the good you are doing - your blood donation may help save as many as 3 lives. Be Prepared: Before your appointment, read up on the donation process so you know what to expect at every step. Relax: Listen to music, read a book, talk to our staff, or simply close your eyes and rest for a few minutes.

Is it Safe to Donate?

Yes, donating blood is safe. You can’t get AIDS or any other infectious disease from giving blood because we always use new, sterile needles that are discarded after one use. You’ll even be given a mini-physical at your appointment, to ensure you are healthy enough to donate that day. We’ll check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin.

*Whole Blood: The most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of ’whole blood’ is given. This type of blood donation usually takes about an hour (Speed up the process by using RapidPass® on the day of your appointment.)

**Power Red: During a Power Red donation, you give a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of your blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components, and then safely and comfortably returns your plasma and platelets to you. With just a little extra time at your appointment, you can donate more red cells and increase your impact on patients in need. Learn more about Power Red donations.

Who it helps: Red cells from a Power Red donation are typically given to trauma patients, newborns and emergency transfusions during birth, people with sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering blood loss.

Time it takes: About 1.5 hours (Speed up the process by using RapidPass® on the day of your appointment.)

Ideal blood types: O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative

Before Your Donation

We recommend that you maintain a nutritious, well-balanced diet with foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. These healthy tips will also help keep you a healthy blood donor:

• Get at least eight hours of sleep the night before your appointment
• Eat a healthy breakfast or lunch – or both, if you’re donating later in the day
• Choose to eat lean proteins (lean meat, cheese and yogurt) or complex carbohydrates (bread, cereal and fruit) and avoid fatty foods
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to make sure you’re hydrated
• Make sure you’re feeling well

After Your Donation

• Drink an extra 32 ounces of non-alcoholic fluids over the next 24 hours
• Avoid doing any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day