Help patients, honor loved ones by donating blood with the Red Cross

Before busy summer schedules set in, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to roll up a sleeve to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients in need.

Donors of all blood types are needed now to help accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving cancer treatment.

Kenneth Reed gives blood in his son’s honor. When Trace was 8 days old, he underwent heart surgery and received blood transfusions. “It’s the least I can do. If it wasn’t for donors, he wouldn’t be here with us today,” said Reed. “I don’t call it donating blood; I call it donating life.”

Giving blood is an easy and thoughtful way to honor a loved one who has relied on blood products, to follow in the example of a family member who gives regularly or to simply help others.

As a thank you, those who come out to donate May 26-30 will receive a Red Cross-branded visor, while supplies last. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can then also visit redcrossblood. org/cedarfair to enter to win one of three grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.

Upcoming blood opportunities:

5/30/2017: 12 - 5:30 p.m., Cartersville Civic Center, 435 West Main St. Cartersville

6/5/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 144 Essex St. Cedartown

6/9/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rome Braves, 755 Braves Blvd. Rome

6/12/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Crane Eater Community Church, 3168 Red Bud donation Road Calhoun

6/14/2017: 3 - 7 p.m., Westminister Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Ave. Rome How to help Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their predonation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/ RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site. About the American Red Cross The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The Northwest Georgia Regional libraries are gearing up for their annual Summer Reading Program 2017.

Children birth - 12th grade are encouraged to take part in the free “Build a Better World” themed fun this summer at the library. The Calhoun- Gordon and Dalton- Whitfield branches will be introducing an adult Summer Reading element to their programming this year. Activities and events for each individual library will revolve around a STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) theme and will encourage children of all ages to continue reading throughout the summer months. Calhoun- Gordon County Public Library, ChatsworthMurray County Public Library and Dalton- Whitfield County Public Library will open registration for the Summer Reading Program on Monday, online at May 22.

The Dalton- Whitfield County Public Library will open four collaborative schools again this year, bringing fun to many areas in Northwest Georgia. The media centers at Antioch Elementary, Cohutta Elementary, Dug Gap Elementary, and Tunnel Hill Elementary will be open for limited hours throughout the month of June. These schools will also host a variety of special performers throughout the month.

This specialized program is funded by the annual appropriations given by the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners. The library appreciates this partnership with Whitfield County Board of Education and Whitfield County Schools. Please visit

or

for more information about the Summer Reading Program.