Red Cross Blood Mobile in Hartwell This Month

Blood Mobiles with the American Red Cross will be in Hartwell and other sites across Northeast Georgia this month to collect extra blood in advance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

As we’ve been telling you, summer is typically a time when blood donations are low, and that means they are also low as we approach the unofficial end of the summer season on Labor Day.

Red Cross officials say they continue to have an urgent need for blood donors of all blood types but O negative, B negative and A negative are especially needed.

American Red Cross spokesperson Kristen Stancil said this time of year is especially tough for hospitals and medical facilities because donations tend to be lower.

To encourage donations over the Labor Day holiday weekend, all donors from August 30 through September 1, will receive a Red Cross mason jar tumbler, while supplies last.

The Red Cross Blood Mobile will be in Hartwell at the Wal-Mart Super Center on U.S.29/the Anderson Highway on August 22nd from noon to 5p.

They will also be in Demorest at Piedmont College on August 26 from 12:30p to 5:30p in the Student Center Gym.

In addition to blood, platlets are also needed.   Stancil said 1,200 pints of blood and blood platelets are needed everyday to fill the demand in hospitals across Georgia

Most healthy people age 17 and older, or age 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets.

Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.  To get more information on ways to donate blood or platelets, you can visit the Red Cross web site at www.Redcrossblood.org.