The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society are teaming up this month to encourage people across the country to "Give Blood to Give Time" in order to help ensure cancer patients have the strength and support they need as they undergo treatment.
According to the American Cancer Society, many patient visits and procedures were forced to delay or cancel early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. With procedures resuming, blood donations are critical for cancer treatments. Unfortunately, the Red Cross is seeing fewer blood and platelet donors give as the nation begins to climb out of the pandemic.
The Red Cross currently has an emergency need for eligible donors in the Columbia and Jefferson City areas to make an appointment now to give platelets to ensure critical patient needs are met. Platelets, the clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment, must be transfused within five days of donation and, therefore, are always in great demand.
To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org or call 800-733-2767. As a special thank-you, those who come to donate through June 13 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last.