Many people can donate blood, but even healthy donors are sometimes temporarily deferred due to low hemoglobin levels. The American Red Cross recommends eligible blood donors eat a well-balanced diet with extra iron-rich foods prior to their donation this fall.
During the fall, iron-rich produce such as broccoli, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots and chard are in season and therefore more abundant.
Food can have two types of iron, heme and nonheme. The body can absorb up to 30 percent of heme iron, primarily found in meat, but only 2 to 10 percent of nonheme iron. Foods high in vitamin C, such as leafy greens, peppers and citrus fruits, help with iron absorption.
The Red Cross also recommends iron supplements for regular blood donors after consulting with their personal health care provider or pharmacist. Visit redcrossblood.org/iron to learn more.
Healthy blood donors help patients in need every day. Make an appointment to roll up a sleeve by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Bosque County
Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Valley Mills High School, 1 Eagle Way in Valley Mills, Texas
Collin County
Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Allen LDS Chapel, 1404 E. Main St. in Allen, Texas
Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City of Parker Municipal Complex, 5700 E. Parker Road in Parker, Texas
Oct. 28 from 3-7 p.m. at Plano Super Bowl, 2521 Ave. K in Plano, Texas
Dallas County
Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Bryan Tower, 2001 Bryan St. in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ernie Roberts Park, 515 E. Pleasant Run Road in Desoto, Texas
Oct. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at New Leaf Missionary Baptist Church, 5044 Veterans Drive in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 21 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Baylor Medical Center at Garland, 2300 Marie Curie in Garland, Texas
Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carrollton City Hall, 1945 E. Jackson Road in Carrollton, Texas
Oct. 25 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Centro Familiar Cristiano, 419 N. Cedar Ridge Drive in Duncanville, Texas
Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Community Missionary Baptist Church, 115 W. Belt Line Road in Desoto, Texas
Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Internal Revenue Service, 4050 Alpha Road in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 29 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 29 from 12-5 p.m. at Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 30 from 4-8 p.m. at The Village Country Club, 8308 Southwestern Blvd. in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Tech High School at Coppell, 113 Samuel Blvd. in Coppell, Texas
Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Art Institute of Dallas, 8080 Park Lane, Suite 100, in Dallas, Texas
Oct. 31 from 1-6 p.m. at Universal Academy, 2616 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving, Texas
Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Garland High, 310 Garland Ave. in Garland, Texas
Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Desoto High School, 600 Eagle Drive in Desoto, Texas
Denton County
Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, 5601 Warren Parkway in Frisco, Texas
Parker County
Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Poolville High School, 1001 Lone Star Road in Poolville, Texas
Tarrant County
Oct. 19 from 2-5 p.m. at Dallas West International Church, 3321 W. Parkrow Drive in Arlington, Texas
Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Corporate Floors Building 1712, 1712 Minters Chapel Drive, Suite 100, in Grapevine, Texas
Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baylor Regional Medical Center, 1650 W. College St. in Grapevine, Texas
Oct. 26 from 12-4 p.m. at Azle Memorial Library, 333 W. Main St. in Azle, Texas
Wise County
Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boyd High School, 700 Knox Ave. in Boyd, Texas
Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boyd High School, 700 Knox Ave. in Boyd, Texas
Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alvord High School, 1049 W. Bypass 287 in Alvord, Texas
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
