KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Officials with the Red Cross are encouraging eligible residents to consider donating blood during the holiday season.
As the U.S. experiences a new surge in COVID-19 cases, Red Cross officials are becoming increasingly concerned about the nation’s blood supply – including convalescent plasma.
Officials say convalescent plasma donation collects plasma from COVID-19 survivors because antibodies to the disease in their blood may help patients who are currently fighting the virus.
Increased hospitalization of patients with coronavirus this fall and winter has caused the Red Cross to distribute a record number of COVID-19 plasma products to hospitals treating patients who are battling the virus.
In the latest campaign, the Red Cross has joined with country music star Martina McBride to encourage donations.
“If nobody has ever asked you to give blood before, I’m asking you to give blood – especially during this trying time,” McBride said in a statement.
Officials say that those who donate between November 15 and December 15 will be entered for a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, which includes a propane-powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater and a stipend towards propane. The rules for that giveaway can be found here.
Eligible individuals can find a donation opportunity using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
See below for a list of upcoming donation events in Southwest Michigan:
Battle Creek –
- 11/17/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., VA Medical Center Bldg. 6,, 5500 Armstrong Rd
- 11/18/2020: 1 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Calhoun Christian School, 20 Woodrow Street
- 11/20/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., Battle Creek First Congregational Church, 145 Capital Ave NE
- 11/23/2020: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Holiday Inn, 12812 Harper Village Drive
- 11/27/2020: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Lakeview Square Mall, 5775 Beckley Road
- 11/28/2020: 10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Lakeview Square Mall, 5775 Beckley Road
- 12/2/2020: 9 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., North Avenue Church of God, 1079 North Avenue
Coldwater –
- 11/27/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., St Charles Borromeo Catholic School, 71 Harrison Street
- 12/7/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Coldwater Masonic Temple, 45 E Chicago
Kalamazoo –
- 11/17/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 11/19/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 11/19/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Hope Reformed Church, 910 Jenks Boulevard
- 11/27/2020: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 11/30/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 12/1/2020: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Wings Event Center #12 The Zoo, Wings Event Center #12 The Zoo, 3600 Vanrick Drive
- 12/2/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Zeigler Motor Sports, 5001 Park Circle Dr
- 12/3/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 12/10/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 12/11/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Comstock Fire Station 9-1, 1960 River St
- 12/15/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
- 12/15/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Haven Reformed Church, 5350 N. Sprinkle Road
Parchment –
- 12/14/2020: 12 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., Parchment United Methodist Church, 225 Glendale
Portage –
- 11/18/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., The Crossroads Mall, 6650 South Westnedge Ave.
- 11/19/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., The Crossroads Mall, 6650 South Westnedge Ave.
- 12/3/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., The Crossroads Mall, 6650 South Westnedge Ave.
- 12/7/2020: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Soccer Zone Portage, 7187 S. Sprinkle Road
- 12/14/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., First Reformed Church of Portage, 7905 S. Westnedge Avenue
Richland –
- 11/24/2020: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., New Hope Covenant Church of Richland, 9300 East D Ave
For more information, donors can visit www.redcross.org.
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