Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Le Sueur community invited to help meet the emergency need for blood donations
LE SUEUR, Minn. — An American Red Cross blood drive will be held Monday, July 17, in memory of Mitch Thune. Thune passed away in 2015 at age 24 after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. To help celebrate what would have been his 27th birthday, his family is encouraging the community to give the gift of life and have birthday cake in his honor.
Thune began donating blood while attending Le Sueur Henderson High School, probably never realizing that he would one day become a blood recipient himself. He donated blood until he was diagnosed with luekemia. During his treatment, Thune received many blood product transfusions. In his memory, family, friends and the local community are invited to continue his legacy of giving by donating blood.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mitch’s birthday each year than hosting a blood drive in his memory,” said Kathy Thune, Mitch’s mother. “Mitch would have agreed that giving is much more meaningful than receiving. This annual blood drive during his birthday month is a wonderful way to celebrate his life and honor his spirit of helping save lives.”
Donate blood in memory of Mitch Thune
Monday, July 17
1-7 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
116 Inner Drive
To make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Blood products can help many different kinds of patients including accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and sickle cell disease.
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for donors of all types to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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.
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