NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (Dec. 14, 2023) — The American Red Cross and the North Platte Jaycees invite the community to bring joy to patients this holiday season by donating blood at the annual Mistletoe Magic Blood Drive on Friday, Dec. 22.
“Donating blood is a great, easy way to serve the community,” said Lindsey Young, North Platte Jaycees blood program leader. “We’re happy to partner with the Red Cross every holiday season to ensure blood is on the shelves for patients.”
The annual North Platte Holiday Blood Drive comes at a time when the Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season. Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays when regular donors are busy with seasonal activities and travel. Snowstorms and severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations and further impact donations.
All who come to give blood at this drive will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
North Platte Jaycees Mistletoe Magic Blood Drive
Friday, Dec. 22
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Venue 304
304 E 5th Street
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device and use sponsor code npjaycees 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.
