Sunday, December 04, 2011
Replace the stress and hustle and bustle this holiday season with the hope and inspiration of the “12 Days of Giving.” Come out to donate blood or platelets at the Charlotte or Huntersville Red Cross Donor Centers from Dec. 4 – 15, and put a smile on the face of a sick child at the same time. Also, learn the many ways blood has helped save lives through the stories of real local patients.
Blood donors are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy and sign a “thinking of you” card. The toys and cards, along with 35 Lalaloopsy™ dolls donated by the Red Cross, will be delivered to Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital for their annual holiday party on Dec. 15. Red Cross employees and volunteers will help distribute the toys and provide holiday cheer to the children.
“Not just at the holidays but every day patients at our hospital rely on blood and platelet donations to live,” said Pat Campbell, vice president, Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital. “On behalf of our patients and families, we’re so grateful for the work the Red Cross does to ensure we have the blood and platelet resources we need to give the most precious gift of all – the gift of life.”
In addition, Presbyterian patients—who are also Red Cross blood recipients—will be on hand at the donor centers to share their real experiences during the 12 Days of Giving, so donors can see firsthand some of the many ways their blood can help save lives.
“We couldn’t be more grateful of our lifesaving partnership with Presbyterian throughout the year, and the holidays are a special time to highlight how local patients’ lives have been saved through blood donation and the wonderful hospital care at Presbyterian,” said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We hope our blood donors will continue to be inspired to give so generously of themselves.”
The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be safely given every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
To schedule your lifesaving appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
