Asheville, Hendersonville Red Cross Needs Our Blood, have any you can spare?

HENDERSONVILLE – During the busy holiday season, giving blood is not high on the to-do list. Other reasons for the slowdown in blood collections are people taking time off work and not being in their routines. Also, cold and flu season sets in.

After Thanksgiving, blood collectors must go into high gear to stock up for the toughest sustained period of the year: mid-December to mid-January.

Beth Golden, director of blood services for the Henderson County Chapter, American Red Cross, said people should consider giving blood to be one of their gifts to give this year.

With one pint of blood, potentially three lives are saved.

Ten blood drives will occur in December in Henderson County, with the largest drive at Grace Lutheran Church from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 30.

Donors can sign-up online at www.membersforlife.org/cbsr (code # 6304) or by calling 693-5605. The chapter drive, A Holiday Celebration, will be 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Call 693-5605 to schedule a donation appointment.

Information on the other blood drives can be found at www.hcredcross.org, by calling 693-5605 or by stopping at the chapter offices at 203 Second Avenue E., Hendersonville.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with parent/guardian permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in general good health; and must present a valid photo ID.