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Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to help maintain a diverse supply
Importance-of-Blood-Donation

The local American Red Cross urges eligible donors of all races to give blood to help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need.

Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so a diverse blood supply is important to meeting the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population.

Patients who need repeated transfusions, like 11-year-old Tymia McCullough who has sickle cell disease, must have blood that is matched very closely. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.

Donors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as all blood types, are needed to help patients fight sickle cell disease, alpha thalassemia and other illnesses. Persons may make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities are as follows:

• At the Modesto Blood Donation Center, 1900 W. Orangeburg Avenue during the following dates and times: Oct. 2, 12 noon to 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 and 4, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 5, 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 6, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 7, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 9, 12 noon to 7 p.m.; Oct.10, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 11, 12:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Oct. 12, 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 13, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Oct. 14, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• At Certified Collision Center, 304 Motor City Court, Modesto, on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• At San Joaquin Valley College, 5380 Pirrone Road, Salida, on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•At the Turlock Blood Donation Center, 655 E. Hawkeye in Turlock, on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• At Waterford High School, 121 S. Reinway Avenue, Waterford, on Oct. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, please visit rdcrss.org/driver.