Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (February 12, 2020) — The American Red Cross is once again teaming up with the family of Ashley Mayer for a tenth consecutive year to host a blood drive in her honor Saturday, February 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Adair County Annex, 300 N. Franklin, in Kirksville.
In February 2010, Ashley, who has Down Syndrome, was diagnosed with Leukemia. As Ashley battled the disease, she needed many blood transfusions and at times had to wait for the blood products to be flown to the hospital. Ashley’s mother Carla is encouraging the community to donate blood at this drive in Ashley’s honor to help others in need. In the past nine years, 462 blood donations have been collected in Ashely’s honor and the hope is that the drive will eclipse 500 donations this year.
“We have had great success and support from the community over the past nine years,” said Carla. “Watching Ashley and other children in life threatening danger is truly unbearable. As a parent you never want to have treatment delayed for your child, but it happens. We hope this blood drive helps make a difference in someone’s life who needs blood donations.”
During the month of February, the Red Cross and American Cancer Society have partnered to encourage people across the county to Give Blood to Give Time in order to help patients have the strength and support they need to fight cancer. Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply. Individuals can honor their loved ones by making a blood donation appointment or financial gift at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code KirksvilleDedicated, 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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.