The American Red Cross is asking eligible donors of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need.
Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so a diverse blood supply is important to meeting the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population, according to the organization.
Patients who need repeated transfusions, like 11-year-old Tymia McCullough, who has sickle cell disease, must have blood that is matched very closely. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.
Those interested may make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.orgRapidPass.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Long Beach include:
Oct. 1, 7:45am—1:45pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 2, 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 3, 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 4, 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 5, 1:30pm—7:30pm, Fremont Elementary, 4000 E. 4th St.
Oct. 6, 8:15am—2:30pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 7, 7:45am—2pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 8, 7:45am—1:45pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 9, 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. Oct. , 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 11, Oct. am—4pm, Long Beach City College, 4901 E. Carson St.
Oct. 11, 12:45pm—7pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 13, 8:15am—2:30pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 14, 7:45am—2pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Oct. 15, 7:45am—1:45pm, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, 3150 E 29th St.
Source: Red Cross
