MILWAUKEE (WITI) —The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to start a lifesaving habit by becoming a regular blood donor this year, starting with National Blood Donor Month in January.
January is a challenging time for blood donations. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and cold and flu season may cause some donors to be unable to make or keep blood donation appointments. National Blood Donor Month, celebrated in January since 1970, raises awareness of the need for blood during the winter and throughout the year, while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.
To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Dodge County
Beaver Dam
1/26/2015: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., J.B. Kenehan, 555 Beichl Ave
Fox Lake
1/22/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fox Lake Correctional, W10237 Lake Emily Rd
Waupun
1/29/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Edgewood Church, 201 Edgewood Dr
Fond du Lac County
Rosendale
1/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 124 S Main St
Jefferson County
Fort Atkinson
1/28/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 201 S Water St
Jefferson
1/16/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Masonic Center, 617 Masonic Blvd
Watertown
1/21/2015: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bank of Lake Mills - Watertown Branch, 400 Bernard St
Milwaukee County
Milwaukee
1/21/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Marquette University Health Law Society, 1215 W Michigan Ave
1/22/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Schlitz Park Office Building, 1555 N River Center Dr
1/30/2015: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Marquette Gymnasium, 1508 W. Clybourn Street
Wauwatosa
1/27/2015: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., YMCA W Suburban Branch, 2420 N 124th St
West Allis
1/30/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Nathan Hale High School, 11601 W Lincoln Ave
Ozaukee County
Fredonia
1/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 824 Fredonia Ave
Port Washington
1/24/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 504 W Grand Ave
1/27/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Port Washington Adult Community Senior Center, 403 W Foster St
Racine County
Sturtevant
1/26/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wisconsin Department of Corrections, 9531 Rayne Rd
Sheboygan County
Sheboygan
1/22/2015: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 2032 Erie Ave
1/29/2015: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 2032 Erie Ave
Walworth County
East Troy
1/19/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., East Troy Bible Church, 2660 North St -Hwy 20
Elkhorn
1/16/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunset Park Rec Building, 200 Devendorf St
Whitewater
1/23/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Whitewater Armory, 146 W North St
1/28/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Wisconsin Whitewater, 420 N Prairie St
1/29/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., University of Wisconsin Whitewater, 420 N Prairie St
Waukesha County
Dousman
1/26/2015: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church, S50 W33042 Town Rd GE
Hartland
1/31/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lake Country Lutheran High School, 401 Campus Dr
New Berlin
1/21/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., WennSoft Inc., 1970 S Calhoun Road
Pewaukee
1/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd
1/22/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd
1/26/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Waukesha County Technical College, 800 Main
1/27/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd
1/29/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills, N36W24130 Pewaukee Rd
1/29/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Sussex
1/20/2015: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Richmond Elementary School, N56 W26530 Richmond Rd
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.