Be a hero by helping to boost the blood supply during the Labor Day holiday

Red Cross invites community to give blood at UAW Local 862 Sept. 4

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2018) — Many will celebrate Labor Day weekend grilling with friends or relaxing by the pool, but the needs of hospital patients does not get a day off. To help ensure hospitals have the blood products they need, the American Red Cross invites individuals to be a hero and give blood at the Holiday Hero Labor Day Blood Drive Sept. 4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at UAW Local 862, 3000 Fern Valley Road, in Louisville.

In appreciation, all presenting donors will receive a coupon via email for a free haircut from Sport Clips as part of the “Saving Lives Never Looked So Good” campaign, and a Red Cross aluminum water bottle, while supplies last.

“It’s important that the Red Cross has a sufficient blood supply on hand to meet the needs of

patients every day and be prepared for emergencies of all types, including those that can require blood transfusions,” said Garry Allison, director of donor recruitment, American Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region. “When emergencies occur, it’s the blood products on the shelves that help save lives.”

Right now, there is a critical need and blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in. Donations are urgently needed now to help ensure blood types don’t go missing from hospital shelves.

Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations to help support accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no substitute for donated blood products. In the River Valley Blood Services Region which includes Louisville, nearly 450 blood donations must be collected every day to meet the needs of more than 50 hospitals the Red Cross serves in the region.

While 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.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: Hero 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 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.