VALDOSTA – In honor of Black History Month this February, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors, and especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood to honor the legacies of Black Americans such as Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland. 

“Their passion for helping improve the lives of patients in need of lifesaving blood products is carried on through dedicated blood donors, blood drive sponsors, volunteers and Red Cross employees,” Red Cross representatives said in a statement.

Drew, a Black surgeon, was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today, Red Cross representatives said.

As the first Black chair of the Red Cross board of governors, Holland was passionate about blood research, Red Cross representatives said. 

“His commitment to providing the safest possible blood products for patients in need helped inform many safeguards the Red Cross has in place today to not only protect patients but also blood donors.”

Donors have the ability to create a legacy of their own simply by rolling up a sleeve to give blood, platelets or plasma to help patients in need, Red Cross representatives said. COVID-19 survivors are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. These individuals may have antibodies in their plasma that could help patients currently battling the virus.

Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Valdosta

– Valdosta Blood Donation Center, 2517 Bemiss Road, Suite A.

– 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 23: Valdosta Church of the Nazarene, 4434 N. Forrest St. Ext.

– 4:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 24: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2500 Jerry Jones Drive.

– 1-6 p.m., Feb. 26: Mildred Hunter Community Center, 509 S. Fry St.