Editor, Spotlight Newspapers:
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. This time of year has a special meaning for all Americans and leaves us with a feeling of wanting to help. The goal of 9/11 Day is to rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that arose in the aftermath of the attacks, provide a positive and helpful way for people to remember and pay tribute to the victims and honor the heroes who rose in service. Sept. 11 is the nation’s largest day of charitable engagement and each year, tens of millions of people observe this day by performing good deeds to help others.
The American Red Cross and 9/11 Day have formed a partnership encouraging people across the country to give blood or host a blood drive as their way to remember and pay tribute. Join the 9/11 Day movement by donating blood on Monday, September 12 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. As an added bonus, all presenting donors will receive a coupon for a free haircut.
Eligible donors with types O, B negative or A negative blood are especially needed. If you are one of these types and meet the following physical criteria, please consider doing a double red cell donation:
Males: 130+ lbs. and at least 5’1”
Females: 150+ lbs. and at least 5’5”
Donors with type AB are desperately needed to help restock the plasma supply. ALL donations are greatly appreciated.
RapidPass is a new tool that allows blood donors to help save lives in less time. Donors can complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of their home or office on the day of their appointment, reducing the time they spend at the blood drive by up to 15 minutes. Donors may visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass, read the information, answer the questions, print the pass or email it to themselves. Donors who do not bring the printed pass with them to their donation or cannot show it on a mobile device will be asked to complete the questions again. RapidPass does not take the place of scheduling an appointment.
You may sign up for an appointment by contacting Elizabeth Mosier at 439-4955, extension 1176 or online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearchList.jsp?zipSponsor=townofbethlehem.
You can hold the power to save lives in the palm of your hand with the FREE Red Cross Blood Donor App. Text “BLOODAPP” to 90999 or download it from the App StoreSM or the Google PlayTM store. A single blood donation may help up to three different people! Remember to HYDRATE—drink plenty of water and do not forget your ID.
Please take an hour of your time and offer to donate blood. Your donation will be in another person within four to seven days so the need is real and unending. Area hospital patients are counting on you!
We hope to see you on the 12th!
Susan Alexander