The American Red Cross of the Western North Carolina Region is in need of our support. During the summer months, blood donations are made less frequently. The Greater Carolinas Region consists of 6 chapters, 5 in North Carolina and 1 in South Carolina. Together, the 6 chapters proudly serve more than 5.5 million people across 51 counties, 47 in North Carolina and 4 counties in South Carolina. They provide services to the North Carolina counties of Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Guilford, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Polk, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey, and the South Carolina counties of Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster, and York. Their services are made possible by the generous contributions of our supporters, and nearly 3,500 volunteers who help make a difference in the communities they serve.
Let's Unite and Donate Together.
The American Red Cross urges those who have never given blood before – as well as those who haven’t given recently – to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help sustain a sufficient community blood supply this summer. While the need for blood is constant during the summer months, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors. Nationwide, about one-third fewer new donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year. Additionally, many schools where blood drives are held – and where new donors give – are not in session, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacation plans. While about 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, less than 10 percent of those eligible actually do. The blood donation process takes about an hour with the actual donation only taking about 10 minutes. Whether new to donating blood or a lifelong donor, the Red Cross offers helpful tips for an enjoyable donation experience.
