Presenting Donors Will Receive Coupon for Free Appetizer | Events

The American Red Cross and Texas Roadhouse are teaming up to give you a special treat during the month of May. All presenting blood and platelet donors May 1-31, 2012, at the Columbia Red Cross donation center, 2751 Bull St., will receive a coupon for a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée, courtesy of Texas Roadhouse, 8304 Two Notch Road.

Additionally, the “Spring into Giving” campaign, which runs through June 30, 2012, gives each person who presents to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross the chance to win one of three $1,000 gift cards.

The Columbia Donation Center hours are as follows:

Whole Blood

• Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Platelets

• Sunday: 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Wednesday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday: 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

The need for blood is constant. Even in the spring and summer months, when people are seemingly their healthiest, those with illness, cancer or trauma need our help. The Red Cross encourages donors year-round to help make sure the blood supply in our region remains at adequate levels to provide for those in need.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 54 hospitals. Approximately 500 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demand.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.