We hear a lot about giving during the holiday season, but blood donations actually tend to drop as people get busy preparing gifts and dinner parties. To help prepare for the holiday rush, the American Red Cross is giving back to donors through Nov. 22.
“Come to give Oct. 19-Nov. 22 and we’ll say thanks with up to $20 in Gift Cards!” said the nonprofit organization. “You’ll get a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email PLUS 500 bonus points, redeemable for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards.”
According to the Red Cross, donations from people of all blood types are needed. Those with those with type O blood are especially in demand, since it can be used as universal donation blood. In a 2022 press release, the American Red Cross said that blood donations tend to drop more than 20% during holiday weeks, including the days around Thanksgiving.
Vitalant, another organization that takes blood donations, also noted that blood donations drop during the holidays. It said that people are often busy or traveling.
“As we lean into fall activities, keeping blood donation appointments on the books is crucial to ensuring hospitals have the tools they need to care for patients this fall,” the American Red Cross explained.
November is also significant since it is National Diabetes Awareness Month, the organization noted. Successful blood donors will get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.
Those interested in helping the cause have several ways to find donation opportunities. They can visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a donation appointment.
“All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients,” said the Red Cross. “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.”
