Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
(Oct. 8, 2019) — Historically black colleges and universities in Alabama are on a lifesaving mission with the American Red Cross and need your help. Each school wants to collect the most pints of blood for hospital patients in need and win bragging rights. The blood drives will be held at participating campuses: Alabama State University, Alabama A&M, Tuskegee University and Miles College Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Blood is perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Presenting donors will receive a pair of college football game tickets, free food and a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
“Blood drives are essential in helping ensure blood is available for patients throughout the year and we cannot thank these HBCUs enough for hosting blood drives,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “This friendly competition is a great way for students, facility, staff and fans to show school pride and help make a great impact. To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.”
Donors of all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment. Eligible donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are urged to make a Power Red donation. 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.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:
10/22/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Alabama State University – Student Union, 1055 Tullibody Dr., Montgomery
10/22/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Alabama A&M, 4900 Meridian St., Normal
10/23/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuskegee University – Tompkins Hall Room 100, 1 Benjamin Payton Dr., Tuskegee
10/23/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Miles College, 5500 Myron Massey Blvd., Fairfield.
How to donate blood
For more information and 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) sponsor code HBCU. Donors of all blood types are needed. 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, 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.