AMERICUS — Why does the Red Cross face an emergency blood shortage right now? Well, many schools are on vacation, so fewer blood drives take place. Plus, lots of donors are off at the beach or up in the mountains. These are well-deserved breaks, but patient need remains constant. You can make a huge difference in someone’s life when you donate blood. Accident victims need blood for emergency surgeries; cancer patients need blood transfusions to maintain their strength during treatment.
Come in to give blood next week and the American Red Cross will send you a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. Use it however you want: rent a movie for the whole family, buy healthy snacks for a little party, get sunscreen for that beach trip … there are plenty of possibilities! It’s our way of saying thank you for helping vulnerable patients.
There are two opportunities to donate much-needed blood locally.
Americus Fire & Emergency Services hosts a blood drive from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at Station 1 located at 119 S. Lee St., downtown. Use sponsor code americusfd
The other blood drive is from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at Americus First Baptist Church at 221 S. Lee St. Use sponsor code PSMC as it being sponsored by Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
It doesn’t take long to give the gift of life, and you’ll feel better about helping others after you donate blood.