Whether you are AB positive, O negative or any other blood type, consider donating at the upcoming University of Alabama at Birmingham and the American Red Cross’s Valentine’s Day-themed blood drive.
The drive will run from Feb. 25-March 1 at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion Atrium and March 4-5 at UAB Highlands. According to the Red Cross, blood supplies are low and there is an emergency need for donors of all blood types.
As a further incentive, one lucky donor will win a $100 Visa gift card each day of the drive. Bring a friend along and you will each win a movie ticket. The drive also offers free T-shirts for donors.
UAB North Pavilion, 18th Street and Sixth Avenue South
- Monday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, March 1, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue South
- Monday, March 4, 1:30-6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 5, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Donors should bring a photo ID. Reserve your appointment at www.redcrossblood.org; sponsor codes are UABNP or UABHIGHLANDS.
UAB is one of the largest users nationally of blood supplied by the Red Cross. Donors can give blood up to six times a year, every eight weeks. The process takes about 45 minutes; the actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes.
Blood products are used during surgery, transplantation, trauma care, difficult pregnancies and cancer treatment. It is not unheard-of for a single patient to require as many as 100 units.