The American Red Cross has announced upcoming area blood drives for the month of September.
Giving blood is a safe process, is easy and takes very little time.
Upcoming blood drives include:
• Thursday, September 6 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church
• Friday, September 7 from noon to 6 p.m. at Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church
• Tuesday, September 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Eagle Paper
• Tuesday, September 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Tyrone
• Monday, September 24 from noon to 6 p.m. at Northern Blair County Recreation Center
Another option is that individuals may visit the Altoona Donation Center to give blood. The center is open on Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and is located on Kettle Road, two blocks off E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. Call 941-8386 with questions.
Also, individuals are always able to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-Give-Life (1-800-448-3543).
The Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services strongly urges anyone who is eligible to give blood to call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to donate or visit www.redcrosslife.org or www.givelife.org for a schedule of upcoming area blood drives.
Although giving blood takes very little time and about 60 percent of the people in America are eligible to donate blood, only five percent do.
Anyone at least 17-years-of-age, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Individuals with donor eligibility questions should call the nursing collections office at 1-800-542-5663.
