While the calendar year is about to change, the need for blood donations remains the same.
American Red Cross Spokesperson Susan Faler was a guest of Monday’s Newsmaker segment and shared the list of upcoming blood drives. This includes the Emporia Community Blood Drive at the Emporia Presbyterian Church on Jan. 2 from 12 pm to 6 pm and Jan. 3 from 8 am to 2 pm.
A third drive will also be taking place Friday at Flinthills Mall from 1 to 6 pm. Friday’s drive was organized by local high school students in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Faler says volunteers are seriously needed as blood donations have been very low the past six months.
Individuals who donate at any of the upcoming local drives this week will receive a long sleeve Red Cross T-Shirt.
You can access the Rapid Pass tool online or by downloading the Red Cross Rapid Pass app on your smartphone.
The donation process usually takes around an hour to complete, however, to cut down on that time residents may use the Rapid Pass tool which saves about 15 minutes. The tool includes much of the reading that you will be given at the drive as well as questions pertaining to a donor’s medical history. If you would like to use the Rapid Pass tool you must do so the day of the blood drive not before.
Those wishing to participate in any of the upcoming blood drives may schedule appointments by calling 800-Red-Cross or click here. Walk-ins are welcome, however, those with appointments will be given priority.
