Baldwin County Blood Drives: Red Cross Sets Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach Dates, Offers Up to $20

The American Red Cross is asking donors of every blood type to roll up their sleeves this fall, and several Baldwin County blood drives scheduled for later this month give residents of Foley, Gulf Shores, Magnolia Springs and Orange Beach a chance to answer that call close to home. Donors who give between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22 can also receive up to $20 in gift cards.

In an Oct. 7 news release, the Red Cross urged people to schedule appointments throughout October to help keep the blood supply steady for patients who need transfusions. Hospital patients depend on a reliable supply regardless of the season, the organization said.

Why fall donations matter

October often falls between the severe weather of summer and the challenges of winter, but conditions can be unpredictable, the Red Cross noted. A stable blood supply allows blood products to be sent wherever and whenever they are needed, including during natural disasters.

The Gulf Coast saw that unpredictability firsthand this month. Hurricane Isaias, the season’s first hurricane, made landfall near Destin, Fla., on Oct. 9 and swept north across South Alabama, disrupting daily life from the coast to the inland counties. Disasters can force blood drives to be canceled, and donors in areas that were not heavily affected can help keep the supply steady while others recover.

A single donation appointment can help bring hope and healing to patients in local communities and across the country, the Red Cross said.

Blood products do not last indefinitely, which is why a steady flow of donors matters more than occasional surges. Red blood cells can generally be stored for up to 42 days, and platelets, which are often needed by cancer patients and people undergoing surgery, must be used within about five days of donation.

Upcoming Baldwin County blood drives

The following Red Cross blood drives are scheduled in Baldwin County through the end of October:

• Orange Beach: Monday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orange Beach at The Wharf, 4673 Wharf Parkway West.
• Magnolia Springs: Wednesday, Oct. 21, noon to 4 p.m., Magnolia Springs Town Hall, 12233 Magnolia Springs Highway.
• Foley: Friday, Oct. 23, noon to 5 p.m., Foley Civic Center, 407 E. Laurel Ave.
• Gulf Shores: Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, 309 E. 21st Ave.
• Gulf Shores: Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gulf Shores Middle School, 600 E. 15th Ave.

All five drives fall within the Oct. 19 to Nov. 22 rewards window.

Gift cards for donors

From Oct. 19 through Nov. 22, donors will receive up to $20 in gift cards for giving blood, the Red Cross said. The offer includes:

• A $10 Amazon gift card delivered by email.
• 500 bonus points redeemable for a $10 e-gift card through the Red Cross Blood Donor Rewards program.

Terms for limited-time rewards are set by the Red Cross, and donors can check the details when they schedule.

How to schedule

The Red Cross encourages donors to make an appointment ahead of time and keep it on their calendars. Appointments can be made by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), online at RedCrossBlood.org or through the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Scheduling ahead helps blood drive staff plan for the number of donors and cuts down on wait times. The app also lets donors track their donation history and see where their blood goes.

What to know before you give

The Red Cross sets its own eligibility rules, but in general, whole blood donors must be in good health and feeling well, meet minimum age requirements, which are typically 17, or 16 with parental consent where state law allows, and weigh at least 110 pounds. Some medications, recent travel and certain medical conditions can affect eligibility, so first-time donors or anyone unsure should check with the Red Cross before their appointment.

Other tips for a smooth donation:

• Bring identification. A donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID are generally required at check-in.
• Eat and drink beforehand. Have a healthy meal and drink extra water before you donate.
• Plan for about an hour. The donation itself usually takes about 10 minutes, but registration, a quick health screening and time for a snack afterward add to the total.
• Wait between donations. Whole blood donors generally must wait 56 days between donations.
• Every type is needed. Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of any blood type, and type AB plasma can be given to anyone, but the Red Cross is calling on donors of all blood types.

Other ways to help

Blood donation is one of several ways residents can support the Red Cross. More than 140 Red Cross volunteers, including a team from Birmingham, deployed to the Alabama coast after Hurricane Isaias to move supplies and support shelters, and the organization distributed cleanup supplies and food to storm victims in hard-hit inland areas. People interested in volunteering can sign up at RedCross.org, and financial donations can be made online, by phone or through the Red Cross app.

If you go

• What: American Red Cross blood drives
• Where and when: Orange Beach, Oct. 19; Magnolia Springs, Oct. 21; Foley and Gulf Shores, Oct. 23; Gulf Shores Middle School, Oct. 29 (addresses and times above)
• Rewards: Up to $20 in gift cards for donations Oct. 19 through Nov. 22
• Appointments: 1-800-RED CROSS, RedCrossBlood.org or the Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Bring: Photo ID or Red Cross donor card