Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
March 29, 2007 issue
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Give Blood, Get an Apple
Take a Bite of the Big Apple as Part of the American Red Cross “New York Get Away” Promotion
Few places hold the cultural and historic significance of New York City, and now, as part of the American Red Cross “New York Get Away” promotion, one lucky blood donor from The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region will have an opportunity to experience the Big Apple first hand just by giving blood or platelets between April 1 and April 30.
During the month of April, everyone who presents to donate blood or platelets at an American Red Cross blood drive or donor center will be entered into a regional drawing for a “New York Get Away” prize package that includes two round-trip domestic tickets on Delta Air Lines, a two-night weekend stay at the New York Palace Hotel and two tickets to experience the heralded Blue Man Group while enjoying the sites and sounds New York City has to offer.
Blood donors save lives. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood just to survive. Blood is not something that can be manufactured in a lab or pulled off of the shelves when the need arises. The only source of life-saving blood is donors.
The American Red Cross, Carolinas Blood Services, which supplies blood to approximately 103 hospitals, needs 1,600 blood and platelet donors each day to meet the needs of patients in the region. Because blood can be separated into three components—blood, platelets and plasma—one donation can benefit up to three individuals. Because it takes up to three days for blood to be processed and made available to hospitals, it is important that a donation be made ahead of an emergency. If everyone who was eligible would donate four times a year, there would never be a blood shortage.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
For more info, call the American Red Cross Chapter office at 828-264-8226.
Here are the upcoming blood drives in Watauga County:
Tuesday, April 3—Watauga ARC II Community Drive, Holiday Inn Express, 1:30 to 6:00 p.m., sponsored by the area Lions Clubs of Boone. Call the local Red Cross chapter at 264-8226 for an appointment.
Wednesday, April 4—ASU in Plemmons Student Union, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sponsored by Gamma Beta Phi. Contact President Bryan Ball at bb66533@appstate.edu for an appointment.
Friday, April 6—Wal-Mart of Boone, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Donors at this drive receive a T-shirt. Contact Michelle at 828-262-0254 for an appointment.
Saturday, April 7—Deerfield United Methodist Church, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Donors at this drive receive a T-shirt. Contact Pat Cashwell at 828-268-0509 for an appointment.
Wednesday, April 11—Watauga Medical Center, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call Kenietha Presnell at 828-262-4101 for an appointment.
Friday, April 13—Boone Mall, 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Call the local Red Cross chapter at 828-264-8226 for an appointment.
Sunday, April 15—Profitts Grove Baptist Church, 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. Contact Diane James at 828-297-2681 during the day Monday to Friday or call 828-297-3801 for an appointment.
Tuesday, April 17—Caldwell Community College, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Bill Patterson at 828-297-2185 for an appointment.