Saratoga Casino Hotel to host blood drive next week
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Saratoga Casino Hotel is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive.
Members of the local community are urged to join dozens of Saratoga Casino Hotel team members to give blood from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 inside the hotel ballroom.
January is National Blood Donor Month, and right now, the Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges donors of all types to make an appointment now to give and help replenish the blood supply after the holiday weeks.
“Declines in donations can affect patient care, and the winter months can be a difficult time to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs due to inclement weather and seasonal illnesses causing some donors to temporarily be unable to give,” said Alyson Barraza, communications director with the Red Cross, in a news release. “If you’ve ever considered giving blood to help save lives, now is the time to do it.”
In an effort to help more patients, Power Red donations will also be accepted at this year’s drive. A Power Red donation allows donors to safely donate a concentrated dose of red blood cells, which are the most commonly transfused blood component.
Each donation can help save more than one life. To date, Saratoga Casino Hotel has collected more than 1,300 blood donations at their blood drives.
“We always see a tremendous response at our Annual Blood Drive,” said Alex Tucker, general manager of Saratoga Casino Hotel, in the release. “Year after year this event is embraced by our team members and local community. We’re very excited to once again partner with the Red Cross and help serve those in need.”
All presenting donors at this year’s Blood Drive will receive a $10 voucher to Perks Café, located in the hotel lobby.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment prior to the Jan. 20 Blood Drive. To schedule a time, call (518) 5815774 or visit RedCrossBlood. org. In an effort to receive as many donations as possible, donors are asked to complete their RapidPass® online on the day of the drive. Donors can complete their RapidPass® in 10 to 15 minutes by following the four steps.
Donors will start by providing some initial information, before reading through the pre-donation materials and answering health history questions. After completion, donors are asked to print, download or email their RapidPass® to themselves, and bring it with them to the drive.