National Preparedness Month is here in September of 2025 and the American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets

(File Photo of the American Red Cross Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) September of 2025 is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is urging donors to give blood or platelets by making an appointment to give them during your preparations for natural disasters. B negative blood and O positive blood are encouraged. Those who donate by September 21st, 2025 will get an exclusive mystery bag which is a collaboration with the American Red Cross and “Peanuts” while supplies last with one of four special designs of T-shirts. A $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email will be given to donors who give between September 22nd through October 19th, 2025. A bonus offer is that those who give platelets between September 22nd through October 5th, 2025 can also get while supplies last, an American Red Cross and “Peanuts” T-shirt with Snoopy as Joe Cool. According to a release from the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, here is some more information about these offers and donating blood or platelets during this time:

  • 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 because a little care goes a long way.
  • 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!
  • Bonus: 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.

How to donate blood

  • Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 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 RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
  • Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
  • Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact Volunteer Services at 1-800-422-7677 or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.