JONESBORO, Ark. (April 3, 2019) - The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood or platelets during National Volunteer Month this April. Eligible donors of all blood types - especially type O - are needed to help ensure blood products are available for patients this spring.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions, and the Red Cross salutes the volunteer blood and platelet donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission. While donors of all blood types are needed, the Red Cross currently has a severe shortage of type O blood donations and urges type O donors to give now.

Make an appointment to help save lives now by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To celebrate the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO and the American Red Cross have partnered to encourage fans and donors to show their bravery and valor by bleeding #ForTheThrone. Many answered the call to give earlier this year, and much like the show, embarking on its final season, the fight for the living isn't over.

Those who come to donate by April 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a full-size Iron Throne from HBO's Game of Thrones. Terms and conditions apply and are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HBOGameofThrones. Additionally, all presenting donors April 11-30, 2019, will receive a commemorative Bleed For The Throne poster, while supplies last, and automatically be entered in the above-mentioned sweepstakes.



Area blood drives, through 4/30/19:

Greene County
Paragould

• 4/10/19:  11am-3pm, Crowley's Ridge Academy, 606 Academy Drive
• 4/11/19:  11am-5:30pm, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway
• 4/19/19:  2pm-6pm, Gazaway Lumber Company, 2620 West Kingshighway

Craighead County
Jonesboro

• 4/14/19:  11am-4pm, First National Bank Arena, 217 Olympic Drive
• 4/18/19:  1pm-5pm, WOLFLIFE Campus Ministry, Arkansas State University, 2304 Shelton Street
• 4/22/19:  1pm-5pm, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Restaurant #2064, 2123 Red Wolf Boulevard
• 4/23/19:  1pm-6pm, St. Bernards Medical Center, 225 East Jackson
• 4/25/19:  12pm-4pm, First Community Bank, 630 Southwest Drive
• 4/29/19:  9am-2:30pm, Westside High School, 1630 Hwy 91 N
• Visit RedCross.org to set up an appointment at the Jonesboro Blood Donation Center or to see their operating hours for walk-ins. 
  

Monette

Clay County
Piggott

How to donate blood:
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.