This January, the American Red Cross and Pro Football Hall of Famer and blood donor Peyton Manning are asking people to score big for patients in need — while getting a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona — by giving blood or platelets.

The start of the new year marks National Blood Donor Month — a time to celebrate those who generously roll up a sleeve to keep blood products stocked for hospitals providing critical care. As the busy holiday season winds down and the threat of severe winter weather and seasonal illness cases continue to rise, January can be a tough time for donors to make and keep appointments.

Step off the sidelines and resolve to donate blood or platelets. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767).
In partnership with the National Football League, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31, will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.

To lead the offense against a potential winter blood shortage, Manning invites the public to join him in helping save lives.

“If everyone does their part and we collectively commit to donating blood, we can stack up more wins for hospital patients who are counting on us. A single individual is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Cumberland County include:

Fayetteville

• Jan. 11: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., ABC11 Together FTCC Tony Rand Student Center, 2220 Hull Road.
• Jan. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., K9 Social Club of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Urban Ministry Youth Location, 601 Whitfield St.
• Jan. 25: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., GAF and Superior Distribution, 3700 Murchison Road.
• Jan. 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity inc, 1200 Murchison Road, Rudolph Jones Student Center Room 242

Hope Mills

• Jan. 24: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., YMCA Hope Mills, 3910 Ellison St.

To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more info.

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, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.