The American Red Cross has announced several area blood drives for the month of May.
Those individuals who are able to donate blood are encouraged to visit one of these blood drives:
• Tuesday, May 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at New Pig Corp., One Pork Avenue;
• Monday, May 12 from noon to 6 p.m. at Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church, Hileman Road;
• Thursday, May 15 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Tyrone and
• Wednesday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grier School, Rte. 453, Tyrone.
Giving blood is a safe process, is easy and takes very little time.
Individuals may also visit the Altoona Donation Center to give blood. The center is open on Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and is located on Kettle Road, two blocks off E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. Call 941-8385 with questions.
Also, 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.
Individuals with donor eligibility questions should call the nursing collections office at 1-800-542-5663.
