asheville.com news: Blood Donations.

asheville.com community news
Regional and National Blood Supply Low; Types O & B Negative are Urgently Needed

Specifically, there is an acute shortage of O and B negative blood types. The regional blood banks, represented by the American Red Cross, American Association of Blood Banks, and America’s Blood Centers, are asking for immediate blood donations to boost already critically low blood supplies.

The need for blood always increases during the winter months, when weather, sickness, and the holiday bustle keep some donors away. Patients’ need for blood, though, is ongoing. Every day, accident victims as well as patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell disease and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions.

About four million people in the United States need blood each year, and the overwhelming majority would die without it. The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region needs about 1,600 people to give blood each weekday to meet hospital demand. Individuals are asked to support their local blood centers by making and keeping an appointment to donate immediately.

The Asheville Mountain Area Chapter is currently experiencing a critical shortage in blood supply.

There is no substitute for blood; volunteer donors are the only source. Blood and platelet donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. It is safe to give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks. ID is required and appointments are strongly recommended. To schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. To donate platelets, call 1-877-975-2835. For more information, visit http://redcrosswnc.org/.

The Red Cross considers a three day supply to be adequate. THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED FOR O NEGATIVE, O POSTIVE, and B POSITIVE BLOOD. Please call for an appointment to give blood at a time and location that is convenient for you. Appointments are necessary.

The Red Cross, located at 100 Edgewood Drive in Asheville, will be receiving blood donations at the following times:

Mondays - 12:30pm-5:30pm Tuesdays - 2:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesdays - 7:30am-12:30pm Thursdays - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Bloodmobile Drives – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: (ID and appointment required)

Please call the American Red Cross for a schedule for the blood mobile in Buncombe County at 828-258-2888. For more information or to schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, call 258-3888.

OPEN BLOOD DRIVES

Monday, February 1
Newfound Baptist Church Blood Drive (2605 New Leicester Hwy; Leicester, NC)
2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Please call 683-3178 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Wednesday, February 3
Mission Hospital, Inc. Blood Drive held at the St. Joseph Campus
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please call 213-2222 x2 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!

Thursday, February 4 Black Mountain Community Blood Drive held at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
(117 Montreat Road; Black Mountain, NC)
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Call 669-6729 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Thursday, February 4
Francis Asbury United Methodist Church Blood Drive (725 Asbury Road; Candler, NC)
2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Call 667-3950 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Friday, February 5
Office Environments Blood Drive (1070 Tunnel Road; Asheville, NC)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Call 239-0040 x301 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Tuesday, February 9
Montreat College Blood Drive (310 Gaither Circle; Montreat, NC)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Call 669-8011 x3536 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Wednesday, February 10
Owen Middle School Blood Drive (730 Old US 70 Highway; Swannanoa, NC)
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Call 686-7739 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Thursday, February 11
The Rotary Club of Asheville Blood Drive to be held the Renaissance Asheville Hotel (31 Woodfin Street; Asheville, NC)
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Call 254-3035 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Friday, February 12
University of Phoenix Blood Drive (30 Town Square Blvd; Suite 220; Asheville, NC)
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Call 654-1021 or 335-9574 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Friday, February 12
Spring Mountain Community Blood Drive held at Spring Mountain Community Club
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Call 628-1938 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Sunday, February 14
Barnardsville Baptist Church Blood Drive (1639 Barnardsville Highway; Barnardsville, NC)
3:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Call 626-2000 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Wednesday, February 17
UNC-Asheville Blood Drive held at Highsmith University Center
12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Thursday, February 18
Pisgah Valley Retirement Community Blood Drive (95 Holcombe Cove Road; Candler, NC)
10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Call 667-9851 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Friday, February 19
AB Technical College Blood Drive held at Coman Student Activity Center (340 Victoria Road; Asheville, NC)
9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Call 254-1921 x377 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Monday, February 22
Reuter Family YMCA Blood Drive (3 Town Square Blvd.;Asheville, NC
6:30 am – 11:00 am
Call 651-9622 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Thursday, February 25
Warren Wilson College Blood Drive held at the Gladfelter Bldg. (701 Warren Wilson Road; Swannanoa, NC)
1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Call 771-3065 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Friday, February 26
Enka Middle School Blood Drive (390 Asbury Road; Candler, NC)
9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Call 670-5010 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Saturday, February 27
Woodland Hills Church Blood Drive (50 Woodland Hills Road; Asheville, NC)
8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Call 658-2554 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!
Saturday, February 27
Walmart-Weaverville Blood Drive (146 Monticello Road; Weaverville, NC)
11:00 am – 3:30 pm
Call 645-5028 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $1000 gift card!

Please call 274-3411 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
All presenting donors will receive a Free American Red Cross Water Bottle and will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of three pairs of Delta Airline tickets!

OTHER RED CROSS INFORMATION:

Health & Safety Courses are available at the Red Cross. You must pre-register by calling 258-3888, EXT. 221. Call for more information, click on the links below, or email chashevillenchealth@usa.redcross.org.

BLENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Online Classes for your convenience. Call the Red Cross at 828-258-3888, ext. 207 to get a student ID # to register for class. Skill session must be completed within 2 weeks of course completion. The skill portion is conducted at the Red Cross Chapter. Certification awarded upon successful completion of skills.

PREPARDENESS AND RESPONSE - TRAINING

Training is offered to help individuals become disaster relief workers or to help prepare you and your family for an emergency. Pre-registration is required and some classes may have prerequisite requirements. For more information, please call (828) 258-3888, ext. 219 or (800) 728-9817, ext. 219. All disaster courses are free and open to the public.

Free Blood Pressure Screenings:
Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
American Red Cross,100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC

Free Vial of Life and Free Medical Equipment Loans:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
American Red Cross,100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC
Call 828-258-3888 for more information.