Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MADISON, Wis. (Oct. 1, 2021) – Join the American Red Cross at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Homecoming Blood Drive Oct. 26 to Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gordon Event and Dining Center, Symphony Room, 770 W. Dayton St. Blood donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are available as space permits.
Donating blood with the Red Cross is a simple act of kindness you can do in about an hour. Show your Badger pride, help someone in need and feel good doing it. All participating donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Those who have not given recently or those who might have never donated before are encouraged to schedule an appointment
With more individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, in most cases, vaccinated individuals can donate blood. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine received is important in determining blood donation eligibility.
Right now, the Red Cross has an emergency blood shortage. Blood donor turnout has reached the lowest levels of the year as many delayed giving amid a return to the workplace and in-person learning and a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant. Donors of all blood types – especially type O –are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to overcome this current shortage.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give in October will receive a link by email for a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich or a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Terms and conditions apply; see rcblood.org/zax for details.
“UW-Madison students, alumni, and staff have done an incredible job coordinating this blood drive and it helps ensure that the blood supply remains stable here in Madison,” said Kyle Kriegl, Executive Director for the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We’re asking all Bucky fans and alumni to show their school spirit by giving the gift of life for patients in need.”
Special thanks go out to the UW-Madison Homecoming Committee and the Red Cross Club of UW-Madison for sponsoring this blood drive and helping to save lives. Over the three days, this blood drive is expected to collect 400 lifesaving donations.
Don’t wait. People across the country depend on the generosity of blood donors. Make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, 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 deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.