Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.
In November 2016, a 100-foot maple tree fell on Mike McMahon, causing life-threatening injuries. He needed 11 units of blood during emergency surgery and another seven units to treat complications after. Six weeks following the accident, McMahon was released from the hospital – just in time to spend the holidays with his family.
“I’m grateful for the donors who gave me such an amazing gift – the gift of life,” said McMahon. “I was an occasional blood donor before the accident. Today, I donate as often as I can to help ensure others receive blood when they need it most.”
Now is an important time to give blood and platelets. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.
Give the gift of life – make an appointment to donate blood and platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a special thank-you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give Dec. 20 through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 20-Jan. 15
Calaveras
Murphys
12/20/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Native Daughters of the Golden West, 268 Main St
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Merced
Hilmar
1/8/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hilmar Community, 8188 Lander Ave
Merced
1/2/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., London Properties-Merced, 67 W. Alexander
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Placer
Rocklin
1/9/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Tech Federal Credit Union, 1011 Sunset Blvd
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San Joaquin
Lockeford
1/4/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Lockeford Guild, 19727 Cotton Street
Lodi
12/26/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
1/2/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
1/4/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Walmart, 1601 S Lower Sacramento Rd
1/9/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
Manteca
12/21/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Islamic Center of Manteca SCU, 1058 S. Union Road
12/24/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., VFW Veterans Center, 580 Moffat Boulevard
12/31/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., VFW Veterans Center, 580 Moffat Boulevard
1/7/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW Veterans Center, 580 Moffat Boulevard
1/14/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW Veterans Center, 580 Moffat Boulevard
Stockton
12/20/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/21/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/22/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/24/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Home Depot-Hammer Lane, 3818 E. Hammer Lane
12/26/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/27/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/28/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/30/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
12/31/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/1/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/2/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/3/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., New York Life Insurance Co, 3255 W March lane, Ste 300
1/3/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/4/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/5/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/6/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/7/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/8/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/9/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/10/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Valley Mountain Regional Center, 702 N. Aurora St.
1/10/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/11/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/11/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fleet Feet Store Front, 374 Lincoln Center
1/12/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/13/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/14/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
1/15/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Avenue
1/15/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
Tracy
12/22/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd
12/29/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd
1/5/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd
1/12/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd
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Stanislaus
Hughson
12/27/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., United Methodist Church-Hughson, 2007 6th Street
Modesto
12/20/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/21/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/22/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/23/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/24/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/26/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/27/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/28/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/30/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
12/31/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/1/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/2/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/3/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/4/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/5/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/6/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/7/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/8/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/9/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/10/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Health Plan of San Joaquin, 1025 J Street
1/10/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/11/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/12/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/13/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/14/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
1/15/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave.
Oakdale
1/8/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ball Metalpack, 300 West Greger St
Salida
12/20/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Joaquin Valley College, 5380 Pirrone Road
Turlock
12/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/22/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/23/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/26/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/30/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
12/31/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/2/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/4/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/5/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/6/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/7/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/8/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/9/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/11/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/12/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/13/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/14/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
1/15/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye
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Tuolumne
Sonora
12/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
12/24/2018: 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
12/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
12/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
12/31/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/1/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/4/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/5/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/7/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/8/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/11/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/12/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/14/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
1/15/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Sonora Blood Donation Center, 850 Sanguinetti Road
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Yolo
Davis
12/29/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.