The Red Cross Needs Blood and There Are Ways You Can Help Locally

FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS 

AREA WIDE -- The American Red Cross urges people of all races and ethnicities to give blood or platelets to help increase the diversity of the blood supply.

The vast majority of blood types fall into one of the major blood groups. However, for patients with rare blood types or those who receive regular blood transfusions, blood must be matched closely – beyond the primary A, B, O and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of developing complications from transfusion therapy. The best match may be someone of the same racial or ethnic group.

Eight-year-old AJ Torres requires blood transfusions to treat complications from sickle cell disease, the most common genetic disease in the U.S. The disease is most common among people of African descent or Latino descent, like AJ, and can sometimes cause small blood vessels to become blocked. Diverse donors are important to ensuring AJ has the blood products he needs to regain his health.

                                                  

“Within minutes of receiving a blood transfusion, I watch his strength be restored, pain vanish and energy return. Soon he transforms back to himself – a rambunctious little boy,” said his mom, Caira Torres. “If an 8-year-old can withstand a needle, so can you.”  

Donors of all blood types, as well as all races and ethnicities, are needed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 24-Oct. 15:

American Legion Hall, 425 South Main St. Ferdinand, IN 47532

10/7/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road Evansville, IN 47725

10/6/2019: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 5528 Hogue Road Evansville, IN   47712

9/29/2019: 7:30 a.m. - noon

Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714

9/24/2019: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

9/25/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

9/27/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/28/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/30/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

10/1/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

10/2/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

10/4/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/5/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/7/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

10/8/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

10/9/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

10/11/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/12/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

10/15/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

10/16/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

First Christian Church, 4544 State Road 261 Newburgh, IN 47630

9/24/2019: 4 - 8 p.m.

Holy Cross Catholic Church / School, 305 East Walnut St. Fort Branch, IN 47648

10/1/2019: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Huntingburg Herbstfest, 203 S. Cherry St. Huntingburg, IN  47542

9/28/2019: 1 - 5 p.m.

Ivy Tech Community College, 3501 First Ave. Evansville, IN 47710

9/27/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Jackson Kelly PLLC, 221 NW 5th St. Evansville, IN 47708

10/7/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Department, 5960 N. Ford Road Mount Vernon, IN 47620

10/16/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

Newburgh United Methodist Church, 4178 Highway 261 Newburgh, IN 47630

10/15/2019: 3 - 8 p.m.

Perry Central High School, 18677 Old State Road 37 Leopold, IN   47551

10/4/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Clement Catholic Church / School, 422 East Sycamore St. Boonville, IN 47601

9/24/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 5535 Vine St. Dubois, IN 47527

10/13/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

Washington Catholic High School, 201 NE 2nd St. Washington, IN  47501

10/16/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Zion Amish Mennonite Church, 6233 North 900 E. Montgomery, IN 47558

10/4/2019: 2:30 - 7:30 p.m.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 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 RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.