Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC has a long history of giving back to the community and donors are invited to join the dealership to help patients in need. An American Red Cross blood drive will be held Thursday, July 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the dealership located at 2251 W. 23rd St., Panama City.
This drive marks the 31st year donors have been invited to roll up a sleeve at the dealership. It also comes when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need. During the Independence Day holiday, many regular donors postponed giving blood due to vacation plans, further depleting an already low blood supply.
Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are 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 approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
“This blood drive is a great opportunity for donors to do something meaningful this summer,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “We appreciate the team at Bill Cramer Chevrolet for generously donating their space for this drive and giving the community an opportunity to help save lives.”
Those who come to give will receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt and coupons from Chick-fil-A and T.G.I. Friday’s, while supplies last. Donors will also enjoy Domino’s Pizza and Krispy Kreme in the refreshment area. The Red Cross also thanks Woodham Rentals & Sales, LLC for donating tables and chairs for the drive.
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 (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.