American Red Cross Calls for Donations Before the Holiday Season

SAN BERNARDINO>> The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season. Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months. For blood donor Katie Osorio, giving a little bit of time is worth it because she said she is giving someone a chance at life. “Someone’s mother, brother, sister, father or the love of someone’s life has been given back to their loved ones all because I gave something that I could," Osorio said. "It takes so little from me and gives a world back to another.” Two upcoming blood donation opportunities in San Bernardino include Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at 1430 W. Fifth Street and Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College, located at 701 South Mount Vernon Ave. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire to save time when donating.