Red Cross Los Angeles Urgently Needs All Blood Types, Especially O; Donors Can Receive Up to $20 in Gift Cards
The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region issued an appeal on October 21: all blood types are urgently needed, with type O in shortest supply, and eligible residents are asked to book a donation before the holiday-season demand peak to keep the local blood supply steady.
To encourage donations, the Red Cross announced that people who give blood between October 19 and November 22 can receive up to $20 in gift cards: a $10 Amazon gift card plus a $10 e-gift card redeemable with 500 donor reward points. Those who donate in November can also receive a free A1C test, used to screen for diabetes risk; the Red Cross notes the free test is available once a year and donors should not fast before giving blood.
The Red Cross says donations typically fall during the holiday season as people travel and celebrate, while hospital demand does not, with accident victims, surgery patients and cancer patients needing blood every day. Los Angeles-area residents can find early-November blood drives nearby and book appointments on the Red Cross website or app; in general, donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states), meet weight requirements and be in good health. (Source: American Red Cross)
Source: American Red Cross
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：美国红十字会献血活动（Judgefloro 摄，Wikimedia Commons，CC0） / Image: An American Red Cross blood drive, by Judgefloro, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
