Day of Donations Blood Drive being held at Southridge Mall

GREENDALE (WITI) -- The American Red Cross encourages Milwaukee-area residents to give something that means something this holiday season – a potentially lifesaving blood donation. Patients in Wisconsin and across the country may benefit from those who give blood Dec. 26 at the second annual Day of Donations Blood Drive at Southridge Mall.

“This blood drive comes at an important time of the year for the Red Cross,” said Greg Novinska, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “It will help boost the blood supply during the holidays, when donations typically decline. And each pint of blood that’s donated could help save up to three lives. The only cost is about an hour of time, although to a hospital patient in need, time is everything.”

All presenting donors will receive a movie pass from Marcus Theatres; an admission pass to the Milwaukee County Zoo; an all-access, weeklong, workout pass from Preferred Fitness; a pair of tickets to a Milwaukee Wave game; a $20 gift certificate to Fast Track Oil Change Centers; and a coupon for a pint of ice cream from Cedar Crest Ice Cream, while supplies last. They’ll also be entered into a grand-prize drawing for an overnight stay at the Blue Harbor Resort & Spa in Sheboygan, dinner for two at Rodizio Grill in Milwaukee and a year of auto maintenance from Fast Track. Refreshments will be served by Southridge Mall vendors. Additional support provided by Artist And Display, Dunham Transmissions and Glass Shower Door Co.

A blood donation is a gift that doesn’t cost a thing but can provide hope to patients in need. Every day, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 pints of blood to meet the needs of patients at 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide, including 34 in the Badger-Hawkeye Region. The need for blood remains constant during the holidays, however, busier schedules, travel and other seasonal activities often leave little time to donate. All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply heading into 2014, and those with types O negative, A negative, B negative and AB positive and negative are especially encouraged to give.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.