News
January 30, 2018American Red Cross and Ballston Spa National Bank Partner for Annual Blood Drive
Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) and the American Red Cross are teaming up to sponsor a community blood drive on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018. The blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at BSNB Corporate Plaza, 990 State Route 67, in Ballston Spa. Walk-ins are always welcome, but donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org.
The American Red Cross has a critical need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now to help address a winter blood donation shortage in the Capital District. Ongoing severe winter weather has more than doubled the number of canceled Red Cross blood drives in January, causing over 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In addition, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to very low turnout at many blood drives. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in.
“Given the critical need, I ask for your support,” said BSNB President and CEO Chris Dowd. “Please consider making an appointment to donate or just walk in. When considering this request, keep in mind that the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.”
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
