Take action: Type O Negative Blood Donors needed for Emergencies

$10 e-gift card for coming to give May 1-19

When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. The American Red Cross asks the public to give blood or platelets duringTrauma Awareness Month in May to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O negative blood donors are especially needed right now.

The power of type O blood

• Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for
  when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type in the most serious situations.
• Type O positive blood is the most used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive
  patients of any blood type.
• Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are often given to trauma and surgery
  patients. Type O blood donors are ideal Power Red donors, which means they can safely donate
  two units of red blood cells during one donation. Now, more people are able to give a Power Red
  donation – the minimum height has changed to 5’3” for female donors.

Medical traumas can quickly deplete hospital blood banks. Once patients are stabilized and their blood type is determined, they will receive a matching blood type, so it’s important donors of all types give now and help save lives by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks, all who come to give May 1-19 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, May 1-31, those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 MLB ®  All-Star Game ® in Seattle. The getaway includes two tickets to the 2023 MLB ® All-Star Game ®  thanks to the support of Fanatics, round-trip airfare, four-night hotel accommodations, a $750 gift card and more. Additionally, those who come to give May 20-31 will receive an exclusive Red Cross beach towel, while supplies last.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, May 3-31:

Bamberg
5/8/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church Bamberg, 11823 Heritage Hwy

Blackville
5/17/2023: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Blackville High School, 76 Atkins Circle

Williston
5/5/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Williston Elko High School, 12233 East Main St.

Camden
5/4/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, 1206 Lyttleton Street
5/8/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Camden Military Academy, 520 Hwy 1 North
5/21/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1709 Lyttleton Street

Lugoff
5/19/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., State Farm Lugoff, 830 US-1

Chapin
5/15/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Chapin Post 193 Inc., 102 Lexington Avenue
5/16/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Timberlake Country Club, 222 Timberlake Drive

Columbia
5/4/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lexington Medical Center Irmo, 7035 St. Andrews Rd.
5/12/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lexington County Public Library, 6251 St. Andrews Road
5/18/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Harbison Recreation Center, 106 Hillpine Rd
5/30/2023: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Irmo Middle School, 6051 Wescott Road

Leesville
5/18/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Convent Baptist Church, 787 Convent Church Rd.

Lexington
5/5/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., SC State VFW Headquarters, 210 Glassmaster Road
5/11/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Peter's Parrish Life Center, 1130 St. Peter's Road
5/15/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 East Main St.
5/18/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Calvary Chapel, 1156 Barr Rd.
5/19/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Lake Murray Baptist Church, 1001 Highway 378 West
5/24/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lexington Medical Center Lexington, 811 West Main St.

Pelion
5/12/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Pelion High School Mini Gym, 600 Lydia Dr.

West Columbia
5/18/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Springdale Baptist Church, 357 Wattling Rd
5/23/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., SC Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Rd.
5/23/2023: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Mt Hebron United Methodist Church, 3050 Leaphart Road
5/26/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 3250 Airport Blvd

Newberry
5/3/2023: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Newberry County Family YMCA, 8220 Jollystreet Road

Orangeburg
5/14/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., BAPS Charities Orangeburg, 3721 Magnolia Street
5/31/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Orangeburg County YMCA, 2550 St Matthews Rd NE

Blythewood
5/4/2023: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Blythewood Park, 126 Boney Rd.

Columbia
5/3/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Red Cross Community Drive, 2751 Bull Street
5/3/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/4/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/5/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/6/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/7/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/8/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Richland County Coroner's Office, 6300 Shakespeare Rd
5/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/10/2023: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Prisma Health Richland Medical Center, 3301 Harden Street
5/10/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Blue Cross Blue Shield, 2401 Faraway Drive
5/10/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/10/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Prisma Health Richland Medical Center, 3301 Harden Street
5/11/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St5/11/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brookland Baptist Church Northeast, 1203 Summit Parkway
5/12/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/13/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/14/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/15/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Terminix, 3618 Fernandina Road
5/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/16/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., AC Flora High School, 1 Falcon Drive
5/16/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Richland Library Northeast, 7490 Parklane Road
5/16/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/17/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/18/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/19/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/20/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/20/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., ARC – StaffGiving, 2751 Bull street
5/21/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/22/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/23/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/24/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/25/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/25/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., AllSouth FCU – Elmwood, 730 Elmwood Ave
5/26/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/26/2023: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Charles Drew Wellness Center, Charles Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker
Solomon Way
5/26/2023: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Richland County Decker Center, 2500 Decker Blvd
5/27/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/28/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/29/2023: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/30/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Midlands Technical College-Student Center, 316 South Beltline Blvd.
5/30/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/31/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Midas Auto Service & Tires, 1515 Gervais Street
5/31/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
5/31/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton Street
5/31/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive

Irmo
5/31/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., YMCA/Prisma Ballentine, 1079 Dutch Fork Road

Shaw AFB
5/24/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Shaw Army Central, 1 Gabreski Drive

Sumter
5/4/2023: 8:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lakewood High School, 350 Old Manning Road
5/18/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive
5/22/2023: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., YMCA, 510 Miller Road
5/25/2023: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nettles Building/Gym, 200 Miller Road, USC Sumter
5/25/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 219 West Calhoun St.

How to donate blood
To make an appointment, simply 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. 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.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.