Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The community is invited to give blood in honor of Carlos “CJ” Moreno at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, March 15, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Jean Shepherd Community Center in Hammond.
Three-year-old CJ Moreno loves playing soccer and basketball and enjoys bike riding. He was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and needs a bone marrow transplant. Throughout his treatment CJ has received blood transfusions on a regular basis and may need more as treatment continues.
The Moreno family hopes the community will give blood in his honor. “We would like to spread awareness of the need for cures for childhood cancer and the need to donate blood and bone marrow,” said Yvonne Postelmans, CJ’s grandmother.
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to honor CJ and help patients in need,” said Lori Caputo, recruitment manager for the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region.
In addition to a blood drive, this event will also have opportunities for individuals to register as a bone marrow donor through Be the Match. Yvonne Postelmans has already recruited more than 250 bone marrow donors in CJ’s name since January. You can follow more of CJ’s story at Facebook.com/KeepCjStrong.
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 nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
Blood Drive in honor of CJ Moreno
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
1 to 7 p.m.
Jean Shepherd Community Center
3031 Mahoney Dr., Hammond, IN 46323
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 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 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.