STREATOR, Ill. (Sept. 10, 2019) — An American Red Cross blood drive will be held in memory of Glenn Hansen Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 509 E. Broadway St., Streator.
Hansen passed away in December 2013 from leukemia. While struggling with the disease, he received multiple blood and platelet transfusions.
Hansen’s family says he was one of a kind and a friend to everyone. He loved fishing, politics, the Cubs and doing yard work. But most of all, he loved his family, including six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
“Blood donation is very important to our family. So many people donated blood to my grandpa; we can give back by holding these drives and helping others who need blood,” said Tonya Carter, Hansen’s granddaughter. “Cancer has affected so many people and those who can should give blood to help patients battling this disease. Donating blood is a simple way to be a hero.”
Since the blood drive’s inception in 2013 nearly 200 lifesaving donations have been collected in Hansen’s memory. The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors of all blood types to give now and help save patient lives.
All participating donors that come to give Sept. 1-30 will receive a free haircut coupon by email to participating Sport Clips Haircuts locations. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips. Offer valid at participating locations. Items are non-transferable & not redeemable for cash. Email required.
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to honor Glenn and help patients in need,” said Tammy Hibser, account manager for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “We are grateful for St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church for sponsoring this blood drive as we know this is something that Glenn would have appreciated.”
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.
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.
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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 (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.
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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.