Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Colchester, Ill. (Nov. 07, 2018) — The American Red Cross is joining family and friends to host a blood drive in memory of Larry Louderman Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spotlight Event Room, 102 Market St., in Colchester.
Louderman was a well-known member of the Colchester community and a local musician and current member of The King Graffiti Band and the On-Stage Band. He also shared his talents by helping with sound systems for community events.
In August 2018, Louderman lost his battle with cancer. In 2011, he was diagnosed with colon cancer followed by a diagnosis in February 2018 with acute myeloid leukemia. Throughout both illnesses, he required large amounts of blood products as part of his treatments.
“I would like to raise awareness for the importance of being a blood donor,” said Catherine Louderman, Larry’s wife. “We understand the severe shortage of blood products available and greatly appreciate the Peoria area and the Red Cross in providing the needed products in Larry’s treatment.”
This blood drives comes at a time when the Red Cross has a severe blood shortage. The need is constant and blood donations tend to decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when people become busy with the holiday festivities. The Red Cross encourages you to establish a tradition by giving blood to help hospital patients have the opportunity to spend another holiday with their loved ones.
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 more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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 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, or visit us on CruzRojaAmericana.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.