The Connection

Fairfax County — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season.

Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Fairfax

11/2/2016: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/3/2016: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/4/2016: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/5/2016: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/7/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/9/2016: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/10/2016: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/11/2016: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/12/2016: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

11/14/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

Springfield

11/7/2016: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Springfield United Methodist Church, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road

To donate blood -- 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.