American Red Cross urges donations during National Wellness Month

During National Wellness Month in August, the American Red Cross encourages individuals to prioritize personal health by donating blood or platelets to help save lives. Donors of all blood types — especially those with O positive or B negative — are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in turnout.

The Red Cross will offer free A1C screening to all donors who successfully give blood, platelets or plasma in August. Fasting is not required, and donors can view confidential results one to two weeks after donation via the Blood Donor App or their account at RedCrossBlood.org. Each donor receives one A1C result per 12-month period.

As back-to-school plans, fall sports and final summer vacations fill schedules, patients who rely on blood and platelet transfusions cannot wait. According to the press release, keeping appointment commitments can make a critical difference in a patient’s treatment journey.

Schedule a donation by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or using the Blood Donor App. Donors who give Aug. 1-28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.

Donation opportunities include

Eagle River, Aug. 19, 12-5 p.m., St. Peters Church, 5001 County Road G.

Rhinelander, Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Cabaret Cove, 1540 Pueblo Drive.

 Rhinelander, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Hilgermann Center for Community, 25 Brown St.

Donors can make appointments or find more information by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on an Alexa Echo device. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in generally good health. High school donors under 18 must also meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time by completing their reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of donation using RapidPass. To get started, visit RedCrossBlood.org

/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Other ways to support the Red Cross mission

Volunteer as a blood donor ambassador or transportation specialist at blood drives. Ambassadors greet, check in and thank donors to ensure a positive experience, while transportation specialists help deliver lifesaving blood products to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to disaster victims; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and public generosity to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.