Give One Last Gift this Holiday Season with a Blood Donation

Busy holiday schedules and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can often mean fewer donors giving blood. But for patients with cancer or other illnesses or injuries requiring blood transfusions, the need for blood is constant.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to give one last gift this holiday season. The gift of a blood donation takes about an hour.

To encourage donations and show appreciation, all those who attempt to donate blood Dec. 24 through Jan. 4, 2015, will receive a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Eligible donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with type O negative, A negative or B negative. To learn more and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).