Give the Gift of Life. Donate Blood.

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

I have decided to use “the power of the pen” as a volunteer writer to help share stories of how the American Red Cross is making a difference in my community of Fairfax, Virginia. To begin this endeavor, I will share a personal story.

About 6 years ago, we learned my then-eight-year-old son had a nasty strep infection raging throughout his body, and he needed plasma infusions to help restore his system back to health. Our initial reaction was shock and disbelief. My husband, daughter, and I were frightened, sad, confused – and we could not even imagine the pain my son must have been going through from being so sick. But, because of the American Red Cross, we had hope. The hospital had the plasma supply our son needed to receive treatment right away. The plasma infusions worked as he battled through eliminating the infection from his body. Today, he is a healthy teenager, and we are grateful to the many benevolent people who had donated their blood to the American Red Cross. We realize this was a gift of health for our son. 

As you are thinking of gifts to give this holiday season, if you can, I encourage you to donate blood and give someone else out there the gift of health. The American Red Cross collects 40 percent of the blood and blood product supplies in the United States. It’s easy to locate a local donation drive. Just log onto http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood and type in your zip code. You can also host a blood drive. More information about that can be accessed at www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive.

Here's just a few of the many upcoming opportunities to donate in Fairfax, VA:

Fairfax Blood Donation Center

2720 Prosperity Avenue

Suite 200

Fairfax, VA 22031

Friday, Dec. 23, 1016 from 7:00 am to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 2016 from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.