The American Red Cross asks you to donate blood or platelets for the holidays in Bucks County

As many gather for holiday celebrations with family and friends, the American Red Cross urges donors to give thanks and give back by making a plan to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks.

This time of year is traditionally hard on the nation’s blood supply. Seasonal illness, winter weather and holiday celebrations often lead to lower appointment numbers and decreased donor turnout, making it hard to keep up with the demand for blood products. When they give now, donors can ensure patients have access to lifesaving blood and platelets through the end of the year.

The public can schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To celebrate the upcoming Prime Video release, Candy Cane Lane, those that come to give blood in December will be automatically entered to win a holiday prize package, including a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. There will be 12 winners. Plus, those who come to give Dec. 1-17 will get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Terms for both offers apply. See rcblood.org/Amazon. Candy Cane Lane features an all-star cast, including Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, and directed by Reginald Hudlin.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec.1-17:

BUCKS COUNTY

Bensalem: 12/14/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Neshaminy Mall, 707 Neshaminy Mall

Bristol: 12/14/2023: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Lower Bucks Hospital, 501 Bath Road

Buckingham: 12/7/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 2631 Durham Road; 12/7/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Buckingham Township Building, 4613 Hughesian Drive

Chalfont: 12/13/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hilltown Baptist Church, 26 Upper Church Road

Churchville: 12/13/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., North and Southampton Reformed Church, 1380 Bristol Road

Doylestown: 12/1/2023: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Doyle Elementary School, 260 N. West St.; 12/1/2023: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Cold Spring Elementary School, 4150 Durham Road; 12/14/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Kutz Elementary School, 1950 Turk Road

Feasterville Trevose: 12/1/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 65 E. Street Road; 12/5/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sarah Mitchell Community Center, 1500 Desire Ave.

Langhorne: 12/11/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sesame Place Administration Building, 100 Sesame Road

Levittown: 12/14/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., United Christian Church, 8525 New Falls Road

Newtown: 12/5/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lutheran Church of God’s Love, 791 Newtown-Yardley Road; 12/7/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crossing Community Church, 80 Lower Silver Lake Road

Perkasie: 12/5/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bucks County Community College, Upper Bucks Campus, South Building, 1 Hillendale Road; 12/5/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Deep Run Mennonite Church, 350 Kellers Church Road

Quakertown: 12/12/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., West End Fire Company, 1319 Park Ave.

Riegelsville: 12/1/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. John United Church of Christ, 651 Easton Road

Southampton: 12/12/2023: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Upper Southampton Community Center, 913 Willow St.

Warminster: 12/4/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Benjamin Wilson Senior Center, 580 Delmont Ave.; 12/7/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Warminster YMCA, 626 York Road; 12/8/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Warminster, 500 Madison Ave.; 12/12/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Bucks County Seventh Day Adventist, 10 Greene Road

Yardley: 12/4/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Riverstone Church, 725 Oxford Valley Road

How to donate blood

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.