Help patients rebound by

In March, while basketball teams are fighting for the chance to be crowned champions, patients battling cancer and other illnesses are fighting for their lives. The American Red Cross is asking blood donors to help patients rebound by making a lifesaving donation this spring.

Middle school basketball player Olivia Stoy received blood and platelet transfusions during treatment for T lymphoblastic lymphoma. With the help of blood and platelet donations, the 14- year-old has returned to the basketball court.

“We are so thankful that the blood products were available to Olivia for the almost two years of her treatment. They have made it possible for Olivia to regain her strength and get back to doing the activities she loves,” said Megan Stoy, Olivia’s mother.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure that the Red Cross can collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations needed every day for patients like Olivia.

Giving blood takes less time than it takes to watch a single basketball game. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 16-31

Essex County

Andover

3/18/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Andover Town House, 20 Main Street

3/22/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saint Augustine Church, 35 Essex Street

3/25/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Andover/North Andover YMCA, 165 Haverhill St

3/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road

Danvers

3/16/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/17/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/18/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/19/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/20/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/21/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/22/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/24/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/25/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/26/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/27/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/28/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/29/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/30/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

3/31/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

Georgetown

3/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 9 Jewett Street

Gloucester

3/26/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave

Hamilton

3/22/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 624 Bay Road

Methuen

3/21/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 462 Broadway

3/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 462 Broadway

Newburyport

3/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 25 Low Street

North Andover

3/21/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Merrimack College Sakowich Center, Turnpike Street

3/22/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Merrimack College Sakowich Center, Turnpike Street

Peabody

3/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lahey Clinic – North Shore, One Essex Center Drive

Saugus

3/31/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Walgreens, 166 Walnutt Street

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Middlesex County

Arlington

3/21/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Arlington Knights of Columbus, 15 Winslow Street

Auburndale

3/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lasell College, 80 Maple Street

Belmont

3/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave.

Burlington

3/20/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.

3/23/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road

3/27/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.

Cambridge

3/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cambridge Masonic Lodge, 1950 Massachusetts Ave.

3/30/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Harvard Law School – Wasserstein Building, 1585 Massachusetts Avenue

Chelmsford

3/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Rd

East Pepperell

3/27/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., VFW, 55 Leighton Street – Route 113

Framingham

3/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Learning Center for the Deaf, 848 Central St

3/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Framingham Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Road

Groton

3/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Union Congregational Church, 220 Main Street

Hudson

3/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 91 Park Street

Lexington

3/28/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Avalon at Lexington Hills, 1000 Main Campus Drive

3/28/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 177 Bedford Street

Malden

3/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saint Joseph’s Church, 790 Salem Street

Marlboro

3/28/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marlboro Masonic Hall, 8 Newton Street

Marlborough

3/20/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wayside Athletic Club, 80 Broadmeadow Road

3/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Marlboro Moose Club, 67 Fitchburg St

Melrose

3/31/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Melrose Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon Street

Natick

3/24/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Meridian Masonic Lodge, 24 Main Street

Newton

3/21/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St

Reading

3/28/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Good Samaritan Lodge, AF & AM, 110 Haven Street

Somerville

3/21/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Avenue

Stoneham

3/17/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Congregational Church, One Church Street

Tewksbury

3/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Elk Lodge, 777 South Street

Wakefield

3/16/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, One Church Street

Waltham

3/28/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., CBRE/New England, 200 Fifth Avenue

Watertown

3/24/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street

3/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street

Wilmington

3/27/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wilmington Masonic Lodge, 32 Church Street

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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact <insert local contact information > or visit rdcrss.org/driver.

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, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.