From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.
In November 2016, a 100-foot maple tree fell on Mike McMahon, causing life-threatening injuries. He needed 11 units of blood during emergency surgery and another seven units to treat complications after. Six weeks following the accident, McMahon was released from the hospital – just in time to spend the holidays with his family.
“I’m grateful for the donors who gave me such an amazing gift – the gift of life,” McMahon said. “I was an occasional blood donor before the accident. Today, I donate as often as I can to help ensure others receive blood when they need it most.”
Now is an important time to give blood and platelets. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.
Give the gift of life – make an appointment to donate blood and platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a special thank you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give Dec. 20 through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 20-Jan. 15
Alabama
Jefferson
Birmingham
12/20/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
12/21/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
12/21/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Media 4 Red Cross Wynfrey Hotel Birmingham Day 1, 3000 Riverchase Galleria
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Shelby
12/21/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
12/22/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
12/23/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
12/24/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
Pinson
12/24/2018: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Food Giant-Pinson, 6662 Hwy 75
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Shelby
Birmingham
12/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
12/25/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
Bessemer
12/26/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tannehill Premiere Cinema 14, 4801 Promenade Parkway
Birmingham
12/26/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
12/26/2018: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa
12/26/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., University Mall, 1701 East McFarland Blvd
12/26/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., University Mall, 1701 East McFarland Blvd
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Bibb
Centreville
12/27/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Brent-Centreville Public Library, 20 Library Street
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Calhoun
Piedmont
12/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Piedmont Rescue Squad, 122 south centre avenue
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Etowah
Gadsden
12/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gadsden Mall Premiere Cinemas, Premiere Cinemas 16, 1001 Rainbow Drive
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Jefferson
Birmingham
12/27/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa
12/27/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., University Mall, 1701 East McFarland Blvd
12/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., University Mall, 1701 East McFarland Blvd
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Calhoun
Oxford
12/28/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Oxford Community, 401 McCullars Ln
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Chilton
Clanton
12/28/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Senior Conncetion, Senior Connection, 304 Park Plaza
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Cullman
Cullman
12/28/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Anytime Fitness Cullman, 1845 Patriot Way SW
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Etowah
Gadsden
12/28/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gadsden Mall Premiere Cinemas, Premiere Cinemas 16, 1001 Rainbow Drive
12/28/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Southside Baptist Church – Etowah, 3975 Hwy 77 South
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Jefferson
Birmingham
12/28/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
12/28/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
12/29/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
12/30/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Calhoun
Anniston
12/31/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Quintard Mall, 700 Quintard Drive
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Jefferson
Birmingham
12/31/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., UAB Medical Center, 1802 6th Ave South
12/31/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
12/31/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Talladega
Sylacauga
12/31/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alabama Power Service Organization, 38001 Highway 280
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Shelby
Birmingham
1/1/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Calhoun
Oxford
1/2/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Oxford Civic Center, 401 McCullars Ln
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Cullman
Cullman
1/2/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 626 Olive St
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/2/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Lamar
Vernon
1/2/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church Vernon, 270 1st Street
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Shelby
Birmingham
1/2/2019: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Etowah
Rainbow City
1/3/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rainbow City Municipal Complex, 3700 Rainbow Drive
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/3/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Lamar
Vernon
1/3/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Generations of Vernon Rehab Center, 1050 Convalescent Rd
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Marion
Winfield
1/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Northwest Medical Center, 1530 US Hwy 43
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Tuscaloosa
Northport
1/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St Mark United Methodist Church, 1421 McFarland Blvd
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Cullman
Cullman
1/4/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grand Pointe Pharmacy, 2045 2nd Ave NW
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Etowah
Gadsden
1/4/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Riverview Regional, 600 South 3rd Street
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/4/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
Gardendale
1/4/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Gardendale Civic Center, 800 Main Street
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Shelby
Birmingham
1/4/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
1/5/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., NPHC Birmingham, 2210 1st Ave North
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Shelby
1/5/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
1/6/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
1/7/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
1/7/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Etowah
Gadsden
1/8/2019: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Gadsden Regional Medical Center, 1007 Goodyear Avenue
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/8/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
1/8/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Walker
Jasper
1/8/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bevill State Community College – Jasper, 1411 Indiana Ave
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Calhoun
Piedmont
1/9/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Young’s Chapel Methodist Church, 44 youngs chapel rd
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/9/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
1/9/2019: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Talladega
Lincoln
1/9/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Honda Line 2, 1800 Honda Dr
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Walker
Jasper
1/9/2019: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Baptist Medical Center – Walker, 3400 Hwy 78
1/9/2019: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Baptist Medical Center – Walker, 3400 Hwy 78
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/10/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
Columbiana
1/10/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rec Center, Rec Center, 194 Washington Street
Pelham
1/10/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pelham Rec Center, 2020 Ballpark Road
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Blount
Hayden
1/11/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hayden High School, 125 Atwood Rd
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/11/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
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Shelby
1/11/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
Columbiana
1/11/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rec Center, Rec Center, 194 Washington Street
Birmingham
1/12/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
1/13/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows Homewood, 1728 Oxmoor Road
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Shelby
1/13/2019: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Jefferson
1/14/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
1/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd.
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Shelby
1/14/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa
1/14/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., University Mall, 1701 McFarland Blvd E
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Jefferson
Birmingham
1/15/2019: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods BLVD
1/15/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., SouthminsterPresbyterian Church, 1124 Montgomery Highway
1/15/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
1/15/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods BLVD
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Shelby
1/15/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace
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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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 CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.