Consider donating blood this holiday season at one of the many upcoming blood drives around Chenango County. (Photo from the American Red Cross Facebook page)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Help the American Red Cross save lives this holiday season by donating at upcoming blood drives in Chenango County.

Several locations in Chenango County will be hosting blood drives in December and January, where individuals can donate whole blood and plasma, or Power Red if their blood type is O-, O+, A-, or B-.

According to the Red Cross, whole blood donation is "the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets."

Whole blood donations is used to treat trauma patients as well as individuals undergoing surgery, and one person can donate whole blood up to six times per year.

Plasma donations are ideal for individuals with AB+ and AB- blood types, and is "used in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding." During a plasma donation, the plasma is separated from red blood cells and platelets, which are returned to the body. Individuals can donate plasma up to 13 times per year.

Power Red donations separate red blood cells from other blood components, such as plasma and platelets, which are returned to the body. These donations give a concentrated amount of red blood cells, which the Red Cross states "are typically given to trauma patients, newborns and emergency transfusions during birth, people with sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering blood loss."

For more information on blood donation eligibility, visit RedCrossBlood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations.html.

To schedule a blood donation at one of the upcoming blood drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or download the Blood Donor app. Individuals who donate between December 16 and January 3 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.

To prepare for a blood donation, the Red Cross recommends eating iron-rich foods such as spinach, meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals, and raisins. They also encourage donors to get a good night's sleep before the day of donation, and to drink plenty of water.

On the day of donation, it's recommended to drink an extra 16 ounces of water, avoid fatty foods, wear a shirt with sleeves that can be easily rolled up above the elbows, let a nurse know if there is a particular arm or vein that has been used to successfully draw blood in the past, and relax during donation by listening to music, talking to other donors, or reading.


After donating, the Red Cross recommends eating a snack, hydrating, eating iron-rich foods, and avoiding heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day. Donors should also sit or lie down if they experience any dizziness or lightheadedness after donation, and avoid activities that may lead to fainting for the next 24 hours.


Call the American Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that was forgotten during donation, and if a donor experiences any problems or needed medical care after giving blood.

More information on what to do before, during, and after a blood donation can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after.html.

Chenango County Blood Drives:

Thursday, December 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich.

Thursday, December 19 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Norwich VFW Post 2782, located at 61 East Main Street in Norwich.

Thursday, December 19 from noon to 5 p.m. at the South New Berlin Fire Department, located at 3519 State Highway 8 in South New Berlin.

Monday, December 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich.

Saturday, January 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 376, located at 17 South Washington Street in Oxford.

Wednesday, January 15 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Norwich VFW Post 2782, located at 61 East Main Street in Norwich.

Friday, January 17 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Broad Street United Methodist Church, located at 74 North Broad Street in Norwich.

Thursday, January 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich.

Wednesday, January 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne Fire Department, located at 15 West State Street in Sherburne.