Red Cross: Blood and platelet donors needed now

The American Red Cross urges people to leave a lasting impact by giving blood or platelets now. Donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood, are needed to keep the blood supply steady ahead of the holiday rush.

In thanks, all who come to give from Oct. 19 through Nov. 22 will get up to $20 in gift cards ­— that's a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email and 500 bonus points that can be redeemed for a $10 e-gift card through blood donor rewards. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze for details.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app to schedule a donation appointment.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. To help empower and educate blood donors, in November, successful donations will once again get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. (One result per calendar year; do not fast before donating.) For additional information, see RedCrossBlood.org/Maze.

Blood drives are scheduled at the following locations.

Chapin

Nov. 2 — 1:30-6 p.m., Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Highway

Nov. 15 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amick Ferry Road

Columbia

Nov. 4 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Benedict College, 1600 Harden St.

Nov. 5 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Irmo High School, 6671 St. Andrews Road

Nov. 6 —  9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ridge View High School, 4801 Hard Scrabble Road

Nov. 12 — 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lexington Medical Center - Center Point, 1000 Center Point Road

Nov. 12 —  11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Harbison Recreation Center, 106 Hillpine Road

Lexington

Nov. 1 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pisgah Lutheran Church, 1350 Pisgah Church Road

Orangeburg

Nov. 11 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Student Center, 400 Magnolia St.

Blythewood

Nov. 1 — Noon to 5 p.m., New Kirk Presbyterian Church, 491 Langford Road

How to donate blood

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 old 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 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor app.