The American Red Cross encourages people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need.
Mike Healey’s son was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds, and immediately needed blood. “I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then,” he said. Though Healey’s son spent his first 49 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit, he has thrived and is now a healthy, 10-year-old little league baseball player. “I will never forget whoever selflessly gave blood for my son.”
A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time — and more holidays — with loved ones. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Fairfield County Nov. 16-30:
Bridgeport
- Nov. 18, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Cesar A Batalla School, 606 Howard Avenue
Brookfield
- Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., BJ's Wholesale Club, 106 Federal Road
Danbury
- Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive
- Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue
- Nov. 28, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Hampton Inn Danbury, 81 Newtown Road
- Nov. 29, 11:45 a.m.-5:15 p.m., Western CT State University, 181 White Street
Fairfield
- Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fairfield Public School Central Office, 501 Kings Highway
- Nov. 24, 1-6 p.m., Church of the Assumption, 545 Stratfield Road
Greenwich
- Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road
Huntington
- Nov. 28, 1-6 p.m., Huntington Congregational Church, 41 Church Street
New Canaan
- Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry St.
New Fairfield
- Nov. 17, 1:30-6:30 p.m., New Fairfield Congregational Church, 20 Gillotti Road
Norwalk
- Nov. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue
- Nov. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Norwalk City Hall, East Avenue
Redding
- Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Road
Shelton
- Nov. 28, 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Dianon Systems, 1 Forest Parkway
Stamford
- Nov. 24, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Bobby Valentine's Sports Academy, 4 Largo Drive
- Nov. 25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., St Cecilia Catholic Church, 1184 Newfield Ave.
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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.