The American Red Cross has announced local blood drives for May and reminds area residents that giving blood is a safe process, is easy and takes very little time.
Altoona Donation Center blood drives are every Tuesday of the month from noon to 6 p.m. It will also be open on Saturday, May 5.
A blood drive is scheduled for May 22 at the Warriors Mark United Methodist Church from 1 to 7 p.m.
Other area blood drives for May include the Elks Lodge on Thursday, May 10 and the Tyrone Hospital on Friday, May 11. Also, on Tuesday, May 29, First Presbyterian Church in Tyrone will host a blood drive.
Individuals are able to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-Give-Life (1-800-448-3543).
The Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services strongly urges anyone who is eligible to give blood to call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to donate or visit www.redcrosslife.org or www.givelife.org for a schedule of upcoming area blood drives.
Although giving blood takes very little time and about 60 percent of the people in America are eligible to donate blood, only five percent do.
Anyone at least 17-years-of-age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Individuals with donor eligibility questions should call the nursing collections office at 1-800-542-5663.
According to a recent press release, the American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.
The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
