The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the American Red Cross are holding a special summer blood drive in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Alabama Chapter. The drive runs from June 12-20 at UAB Hospital, UAB Highlands and the UAB School of Dentistry.
Blood shortages are common in the summer due to increased need and alterations in donation schedules tied to vacations. All blood types are urgently needed.
The drive offers free T-shirts for donors and a daily drawing for a gift basket valued at $100.
UAB North Pavilion, 18th Street and Sixth Avenue South
- Monday, June 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 13, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursday, June 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, June 16, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue South
- Tuesday, June 20, 1:30-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
UAB School of Dentistry, 1919 7th Ave. South
- Wednesday, June 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Donors should bring a photo ID. Reserve your appointment at www.redcrossblood.org; sponsor codes are UABNP for the North Pavilion drive, UABHIGHLANDS for the Highlands drive or UAB for the Dental School drive.
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.