Red Cross urges blood donations during holidays

The American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to give blood because donations typically decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Overall, the holiday season is among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors have busy holiday schedules and blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms.

Last year, nearly 64,000 fewer blood and platelet donations were given through the Red Cross from Thanksgiving through the first week of January than the average during the rest of the year, according to the American Red Cross.

“By taking just about an hour of time today, you can help save someone’s life within a few weeks or even days of your donation,” said Jay Winkenbach, donor recruitment director of the Red Cross California Blood Services Region.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Escondido will have opportunities for donating blood

in the next month at the follow days and times.

December 21: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

December 23: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

December 24: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

December 26: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

January 2: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

January 4: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

January 4: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., City of Escondido, 201 N. Broadway

January 8: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

January 9: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Toyota of Escondido, 231 Lincoln Parkway

January 10: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Escondido Police Department, 1163 N. Centre City Parkway

January 13: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway