Get a free Sports Clips haircut with blood donation
A Sumter native who owns more than 1,800 men's haircut store locations across all 50 states is partnering with the American Red Cross to support childhood cancer patients.
Blood and platelet donors of all blood types are needed to replenish the Red Cross' blood supply following a summer blood shortage, and the agency is promoting donations to benefit kids, teens and young adults battling cancer or who need transfusions during September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer and cancer treatments can put patients at risk for low red blood cells and platelet counts.
As a thank you for giving between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3, donors will receive a free Red Cross canvas tote bag, while supplies last. Sports Clips Haircuts - founded by Sumter's Gordon Logan in Texas in 1993 - is also giving a coupon for a free haircut to those who give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30. The coupon will be valid through Nov. 11, 2019, at participating locations, and donors must have a valid email address to receive the coupon.
The National Cancer Institute estimated that more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. would be diagnosed with cancer last year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.
Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, lowering production of red blood cells and platelets, according to the Red Cross. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma attack the bone marrow, as well.
To help those patients, blood and platelet transfusions can enable them to receive critical treatments needed to fight and survive cancer.
How to make an appointment
Make an appointment by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive, go to www.RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming Sumter blood drives
Friday, Sept. 6: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sumter County Library, 111 N. Harvin St.
Monday, Sept. 9: 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sumter Family YMCA, 510 Miller Road
What you need to donate
A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Individuals who are 17 years old 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 www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor app.