Red Cross offering Amazon gift cards to blood donors

Published 10:41 am Monday, April 29, 2019

 FROM STAFF REPORTS

There’s no way to predict when or where an accident will happen. That’s why the American Red Cross needs donors to give blood and platelets during Trauma Awareness Month this May and throughout the year to help ensure that trauma centers are prepared the moment an injured patient arrives

Donors of all blood types are urged to give now to help meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks, all those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross now through June 10, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Major traumas can quickly deplete a hospital’s blood supply. By giving blood, platelets or plasma regularly, donors can help ensure that enough blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters.

In trauma situations, when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma because they can be transfused to patients of any blood type. Less than 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood.

Platelets may also be needed to help with clotting in cases of massive bleeding. Because platelets must be transfused within five days of donation, there is a constant – often critical – need to keep up with hospital demand.

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities from May 1-23:

 

April 29: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

April 30: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 1: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 3: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 4: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 5: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 6: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 7: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 8: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 10: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 11: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 12: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 13: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 14: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 15: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 17: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 18: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 19: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 20: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 21: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 21: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 210 Lacey Avenue

May 22: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 24: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

May 24: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., FIS Global Birmingham, 104 Inverness Center Place

May 25: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Birmingham Blood Donation Center, 700 Caldwell Trace