Holiday season a time of need for blood banks, says BloodSource

The greatest gift anyone can ever give another is the gift of life.

Blood donors have the opportunity to do that every six weeks or so when they share a pint with a local blood bank, said Dannielle Smith, spokeswoman for BloodSource.

Dec. 1-24 marks the "Season of Giving," an especially poignant time of year for many families whose loved ones might be in the hospital as the result of an accident or treatment for a serious medical condition, Smith said.

Particularly due to the busy holiday season, many regular blood donors are traveling or too preoccupied with holiday events to make regular donations. At the same time, the need for blood rises dramatically due to accidents resulting from holiday parties, long-distance travel, crowded roadways and unsettled weather, she said.

"If you don't know what to give others this season, consider giving blood or a blood component like platelets or joining Be the Match marrow registry. These are all wonderful gifts to others who will be experiencing a difficult holiday season," according to Carrie Adsit, director of recruitment for BloodSource.

As an extra incentive, blood donors who participate during the Season of Giving will receive a free T-shirt as well as a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream.

The next opportunity to donate blood in the Anderson area will be from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Sacred Heart Parish.

Walk-ins are welcome and you do not need to be a member of the parish to donate.

The drive is hosted by Knights of Columbus, 3141 St. Stephans Dr., Anderson.

Call 378-8075 to schedule an appointment.

Blood donors must weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health.

Donors must also be at least 17-years-old with a photo identification or 16 with a signed BloodSource parental consent form obtained from the Web site at www.bloodsource.org