Donate Blood: Track Where It Goes To Help Others

The Garrett County Health Department has scheduled its next blood drive for Friday, February 15, from 12-4:30 PM in the first floor conference room.

“The American Red Cross is facing a blood emergency,” said Marie Lauver, AmeriCorps, who coordinates the blood drives for the Health Department. “Donors of all blood types are urgently needed.”

The Health Department will be highlighting the Blood Donor App, which allows donors to schedule blood donations, invite friends to join their lifesaving team, and even track where their blood is used.

“Red Cross tools such as Rapid Pass and the Blood Donor App are making donating blood a faster process,” shared Lauver. “But of course we always welcome anyone who wants to skip the technology and simply walk in and save a life.”

To donate blood, a person must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 17 years old, (or 16 years old with parental consent form), and have not donated blood in the last 56 days. To schedule an appointment please download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App on your smart phone, call Venessa at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111, or visit redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department