Make a Difference; Save a Life

September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross reminds people to give hope by making blood donation a priority. It’s the blood products already on the shelves that can make a difference in urgent on medical care.

Here in Montgomery County, one opportunity to do exactly that takes place Monday, Sept. 29 in Darlington at the American Legion Post. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. that day, you can give blood and make a difference. The Red Cross is looking for donors of all types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood. If you fall into one of those two categories, or are willing to donate no matter what blood type you are, please consider making an appointment to give.

All you have to do to book a time to give blood or platelets is visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

National Preparedness Month is almost over and it’s a time to remember lifesaving blood products are an essential part of preparedness for every type of disaster, whether it be home fires or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding and wildfires. Severe weather can disrupt blood collections by causing blood drive cancellations and impacting donors’ ability to give. Additionally, trauma patients may need blood product transfusions within minutes of entering emergency rooms. Those who give now could help someone in dire moments.

People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by our Red Cross community and fans of PEANUTS for the past 75 years. Those who come to give by Sept. 21 will receive an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs, while supplies last. Thousands of golden tickets are also randomly hidden in mystery bags throughout the country. Donors who find a golden ticket when they open their bag can redeem it through an online form for all four T-shirts!

Those who come to give platelets Sept. 22-Oct. 5, 2025, can also receive a classic Red Cross x PEANUTS sweatshirt featuring Snoopy as the coolest beagle in town, Joe Cool, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Peanuts for details on all offers.

To book a time to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Additionally, all who come to give Sept. 22-Oct. 19, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details.