Health Department Sponsors Red Cross Blood Drive on October 13th

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

The Garrett County Health Department is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Oct. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Health Department’s office at 1025 Memorial Drive in Oakland. 

The Red Cross reports a current blood shortage. “National blood supply has fallen by about 25% since early August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in. We need your help – schedule a blood donation today.”

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767, or calling Sandy at the health department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

Participants who give blood from Oct. 1 through Oct. 20 will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email.

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.

On the day of their appointment, donors can save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®, meaning they do the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.