American Red Cross, Eastwood Towne Center Join Forces
November 19, 2012—Lansing, MI—The American Red Cross and Eastwood Towne Center are partnering once again this holiday season to give platelet donors a special ‘thank you’. Everyone who schedules an appointment to donate platelets at the Lansing Donor Center (1729 E. Saginaw Hwy.) between November 23 and November 25 will receive a $10 gift card to Eastwood Towne Center. Platelet donors will also have a chance to win one of four $100 gift cards each week through the holiday shopping season (November 29 – December 29).
“The holiday season is difficult for platelet donations,” said Maureen Sharp, Apheresis Recruitment Representative with the American Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region. “People are traveling for the holidays and do not always think to donate. Partnering with Eastwood Towne Center gives our donors an added incentive to take time out from their busy holiday schedules to help save lives”
Platelets are cells in the blood that help form clots and control bleeding. Every day, platelet donors are needed to help people undergoing treatment for serious health problems like leukemia, cancer and aplastic anemia. Platelets are also used in the treatment of surgery, trauma and in the course of chemotherapy.
A person can donate platelets up to 24 times a year. There continues to be an increase in demand for platelets because unlike whole blood—which has a shelf life of 45 days—a unit of platelets expires after five days.
So take time this holiday season to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of life. For more information on platelets or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-866-725-2140.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.orgfor more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
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