October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – the perfect time to give blood or platelets to support cancer patients and others.

Anna Gwinnup, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in September 2017. Within weeks, it advanced to stage 2, forcing her to undergo a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, which required blood products.

Though she was a blood donor prior to her diagnosis, Gwinnup now has a new passion for the cause.

“I want to raise awareness about the need for blood to treat cancer,” Gwinnup said.

Cancer patients may need red blood cell or platelet transfusions during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications. 

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this fall, especially after Hurricane Florence and subsequent flooding forced the cancellation of more than 6,000 blood and platelet donations last month.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come to donate blood or platelets in October will automatically be entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants. Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org/GoForGoal.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31:

Austin

Oct. 15: 1-7 p.m., National Guard Armory, 800 21st St. NE

Oct. 16: Noon-6 p.m., National Guard Armory, 800 21st St. NE

Oct. 17: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., National Guard Armory, 800 21st St. NE

Oct. 25: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1600 W. Oakland Ave.

Oct. 26: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gerard Academy, 28th St. NE

Oct. 29: 1- 7 p.m., Family Video, 101 4th St. SW

Oct. 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., US Bank of Austin, 301 N. Main St.

LeRoy

Oct. 18: Noon-6 p.m., Community Center, 204 W. Main St.