For many, watching the classic holiday movie “Elf” has been a heartwarming tradition for 20 years. This November, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to add a new tradition as the holiday season begins: Spread cheer with a blood or platelet donation.
Donations are critical to the blood supply as the holiday season draws near – a time when blood donations often decline. Donors of all blood types are urged to give, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the film “Elf,” and create holiday cheer, all who come to give Nov. 10-30 will receive an exclusive pair of “Elf” + Red Cross socks, while supplies last. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Elf.
It feels good to give a gift to someone else that truly means something. Those wishing to help patients receive lifesaving transfusions can book a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities are listed below.
Marion County
Nov. 16, Centralia Community drive, 12-5, in the Centralia American Legion hall (sponsored by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home).
Nov. 22, Salem Community Critical Collection blood drive, 10-2, in the Salem Community Activities Center.
Nov. 30, Battle of the Badges Centralia, 12-5, in the Centralia American Legion Hall.
Franklin County
Nov. 16, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1 West Frankfort Plaza, West Frankfort.
Nov. 17, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 506 West Main, Benton.
Nov. 22, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion, 311 S Main, Benton.
Jefferson County
Nov. 20, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Free Will Baptist Church, 3rd and Elm Street, Ina.
Nov. 21, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., East Salem Baptist Church – Mount Vernon, 16812 North Rockford Lane, Mount Vernon.
Nov. 27, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Rolland Lewis Community Building, South 27th Street, Mount Vernon.
Nov. 30, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., West Salem Trinity United Methodist Church, 4212 Broadway, Mount Vernon.
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.
