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DURHAM, NC, JANUARY 23, 2012– Five American Red Cross blood/platelet donors are now lucky winners of one of the hottest tech gadgets around! Blood and platelet donors who came out to donate at American Red Cross donor centers from December 19, 2011 through January 2, 2012 were entered into a special drawing for one of five Apple iPad 2s. It’s just one of the ways the Red Cross is saying a special “thank you” to donors. The winners are:
Audrey Nolen--Gastonia, NC
Larry Gleisner—Greensboro, NC
Jennifer Shermer--Knightdale, NC
Walter Thomas—Southport, NC
Michelle Browning--Johnson City, TN
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the generous donors who took time out of their schedules to donate blood or platelets during the hectic holiday season said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We just really want to show our donors how much we appreciate them and their commitment to helping save lives.”
Even though the holiday season is over, the need for blood is constant. Like the Emergency Room of a hospital, the American Red Cross must be prepared to respond to patient emergencies with blood products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Through the everyday support and generosity of blood and platelet donors, the Red Cross can be prepared to do this day-in and day-out, no matter when or where these blood products are needed.
The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be safely given every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Call 1-877-975-2835 to make an appointment to donate platelets.
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