Red Cross schedules November blood drives in Wenatchee, Leavenworth

WENATCHEE — The American Red Cross is urging residents across North Central Washington to donate blood or platelets ahead of the holiday season, with several blood drives scheduled in Wenatchee and Leavenworth during the first week of November.

The organization said donors of all blood types are needed, particularly those with type O blood, to help maintain a steady blood supply for hospitals as the holiday season approaches.

Three blood drives are scheduled in Chelan County between Nov. 3 and Nov. 5.

The upcoming donation opportunities include:

Leavenworth: Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cascade High School, 10190 Chumstick Highway.

Wenatchee: Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wenatchee First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington St.

Wenatchee: Thursday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wenatchee Seventh-day Adventist Church, 508 N. Western Ave.

The Red Cross is offering donor incentives through Nov. 22. Anyone who comes to donate blood or platelets between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and 500 bonus points through the organization's Blood Donor Rewards program. The points can be redeemed for a $10 electronic gift card, bringing the total potential value to $20.

The organization is also offering free A1C testing for successful blood donations in November as part of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

The A1C test is commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. Donors may receive one test result per calendar year and should not fast before donating, according to the Red Cross.

Blood donors generally must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Some 16-year-olds may be eligible with parental consent where permitted by state law. Additional height and weight requirements apply to some younger donors.

Donors must present a blood donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification at check-in.

The Red Cross also offers RapidPass, an online service that allows donors to complete required reading materials and health history questions before arriving at a donation site. The process must be completed on the day of the appointment.

Appointments can be scheduled at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Additional information about the donor incentives and A1C testing is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Maze.