Create a new holiday tradition by giving blood or platelets

WATERTOWN, Dec. 4, 2024 — As holiday celebrations continue into December, the American Red Cross encourages donors to keep the blood supply top of mind by giving blood or platelets this month. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to help ensure patients can continue to receive the care they need in the coming weeks.

Record-breaking November travel is expected to carry into the new year, which could cause some potential donors to put off blood donation until after the holiday season. In addition to millions of Americans traveling to spend holidays with loved ones, extended vacations are also surging in popularity at a time when fewer people may be available to give lifesaving blood products.

Bring joy to someone facing a medical emergency; give something that means something with a blood or platelet donation. Schedule an appointment this December by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

For a limited time, those who come to give Dec. 9-15, 2024, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Those who come to give Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 4, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025:

Clinton

Plattsburgh

12/4/2024: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Beekmantown Middle School, 37 Eagle Way

12/26/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Days Inn By Wyndham, 406 State Route 3

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Essex

Ticonderoga

12/18/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 224, 104 Montcalm St

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Franklin

Akwesasne

12/11/2024: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Heart to Heart Fitness, 18 Eagle Dr

Saranac Lake

12/13/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saranac Lake Free Library, 109 Main St

Tupper Lake

12/12/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Goff Nelson Library, 41 Lake St

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Hamilton

Inlet

12/5/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services, 1 Limekiln Lake Rd

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Jefferson

Adams

12/28/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., American Legion Post 586, 10 South Main St

Alexandria Bay

12/26/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Post 904, 9 Rock Street

Antwerp

12/6/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion - Antwerp, 40 Main Street

Black River

1/2/2025: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion, 113 E Dexter St

Brownville

12/17/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Brownville Fire Department, 121 Brown Blvd

Cape Vincent

1/2/2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Cape Vincent Fire Hall, 241 E. Broadway St.

Carthage

12/11/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion Carthage, 415 West Street

Clayton

12/20/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Clayton Fire Department, 855 Graves St.

Dexter

12/10/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Post 583, 105 E Bronson St

Fort Drum

12/9/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fort Drum - BOSS Center, Bldg. 10650, 5th Armored Division Drive

La Fargeville

12/17/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion, 36223 NY State Route 180

Watertown

12/10/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fraternal Order of Eagles 782, 19260 US Rt 11

12/11/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory St

12/14/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., American Legion Post 61 - Watertown, 138 Sterling St

12/18/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Flower Memorial Library, 229 Washington St

12/23/2024: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Watertown Elks Lodge, 728 Bradley Street

12/27/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross - North Country Chapter, 203 N Hamilton St

12/28/2024: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Watertown, 403 Washington St

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Lewis

Constableville

1/3/2025: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Constableville Fire Department, 3059 Main St

Copenhagen

12/13/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., River of Life Fellowship Church, 9871 Number Three Road

Lowville

12/14/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lowville Fire Hall, 5420 The Pkwy

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Saint Lawrence

Canton

12/4/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Best Western University Inn, 90 E Main St

12/5/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sullivan Student Center, 90 Park Street

12/26/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Best Western University Inn, 90 E Main St

Colton

12/6/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Colton Volunteer Fire Department, 80 Riverside Drive

De Kalb Junction

12/7/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., DeKalb Junction Fire Department, 4323 US Highway 11

Gouverneur

12/20/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 NY-58

12/27/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Gouverneur Veterans of Foreign Wars, 100 W Main St

Heuvelton

12/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pickens Hall & General Store, 83 State St

Massena

12/9/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Horizons, 56-58 Main Street

12/16/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., VFW Massena, 101 West Hatfield Street

12/23/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Massena Community Center, 61 Beach Street

Morristown

12/19/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Morristown High School, 408 Gouverneur St

Norwood

12/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Village of Norwood, 15 South Main Street

12/19/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Seaway Technical Center BOCES, 7225 St Hwy 56

Ogdensburg

12/5/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, 214 King St

12/18/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ogdensburg Free Academy, 1100 State Street

12/30/2024: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Ogdensburg Knights of Columbus, 721 Hasbrouck Street

Parishville

12/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Parishville Firemen’s' Field, 25 Rutman Rd.

Potsdam

12/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Potsdam Church of the Nazarene, 11 State Highway 72

12/13/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Potsdam Presbyterian Church, 42 Elm St

12/27/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 Castle Dr

Star Lake

1/3/2025: 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Clifton Fine Central School, 11 Hall Ave, Po Box 22

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How to donate blood

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. 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 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.

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.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!  

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.  

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact Eastern New York Volunteer Services at [email protected] or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.  

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 follow us on social media.