ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — This April, the American Red Cross is urging individuals to give lifesaving blood as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy spring calendars follows an incredibly challenging winter, during which tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather.

With upcoming holiday celebrations and record-breaking spring break travel expected in the coming weeks, donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets.

“Whether it’s sickle cell patients, cancer patients, or others in need, the demand is constant,” said Keeta Bell, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “Blood can’t be manufactured, so that’s why it’s important for people to come out, give their time, and, like you said, ‘roll up their sleeve’ to donate blood if they’re able.”

Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. Since there is no substitute and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential to patient care. Spring plans can disrupt normal giving patterns, but the need for blood is constant.

All who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners. Additionally, those who come to give April 1-13, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. All who come to give later in the month, April 14-30, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 1-16

• Ben Hill - Fitzgerald
  • 4/7/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 402 S. Merrimac Drive
• Colquitt - Moultrie
  • 4/10/2025: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Methodist Church of Moultrie, 409 1st Street Southeast
• Cook - Adel
  • 4/9/2025: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Southwell Medical, 260 MJ Taylor Road
• Crisp - Cordele
  • 4/8/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 15th Avenue
• Dougherty - Albany
  • 4/9/2025: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dougherty County Community, 2601 Dawson Road
  • 4/11/2025: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dougherty County Community, 2601 Dawson Road
• Tift - Tifton
• 4/15/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tifton Methodist Church, 107 West 12th Street

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