EAST PEORIA, Ill. (May 16, 2018) — The American Red Cross is teaming up with WMBD-TV, FOX 43 and AMP Radio Illinois for the 3rd annual Summer Super Hero Blood Drive Wednesday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, 21 Blackjack Blvd., in East Peoria.
This blood drive comes at an important time of year as blood donations tend to decline heading into summer. Many regular donors postpone giving blood due to vacation plans. Blood donations at high school and college blood drives, which account for as much as twenty percent of blood donations during the school year, decline when many schools are out of session. All presenting blood donors will receive a Red Cross Superhero T-shirt, while supplies last.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with WMBD-TV, FOX 43 and AMP Radio Illinois as they continue to step up to help us save lives,” said Joe Zydlo, external communications manager for the American Red Cross. “Hospital patients rely on the generosity of blood donors and we look forward to another successful blood drive at a critical time of the year.”
Blood donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
Donors of all blood types are needed. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
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 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code SUPERHERO 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, from a computer or mobile device 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.