Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Donors needed to give blood to help address significant shortage
OREGON CITY, Ore. (July 13, 2016) — The Oregon City and surrounding communities are encouraged to help save lives by donating blood at the blood drive in honor of blood recipient Jordan Woods on July 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Oregon City United Methodist Church, 18955 S. South End Road.
The American Red Cross recently issued an emergency call for blood donors. Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in almost 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply.
Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products to patients like 23-year-old Woods, who has needed multiple blood transfusions. Woods suffered complications from an open heart surgery in July of 2015. Though he survived against all odds, the doctors had to amputate both of his feet and left hand.
“He has a long way to go for recovery but is very grateful to be alive and is looking forward to someday having new feet and a new heart that will allow him to keep up with his son,” said Woods’ grandmother, Debbie Reasonor. “Jordan will be learning how to walk all over again, but he knows that God has big plans for his future.”
Woods believes that there is a reason for enduring these trials. “I want to thank all of the blood donors who helped save my life,” he said. “This blood drive is mine and my family’s way of helping others receive this lifesaving gift too.”
“Generous volunteer blood donors are the only source to help patients in need,” said Neil Tosuntikool, Donor Recruitment director of the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. “Hospital patients continue to need lifesaving blood this summer, and they’re relying on the generosity of volunteer donors to give them hope in the days and weeks ahead.”
The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the approximately 14,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood donors of all types are needed to help accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Blood donation appointments can be scheduled by using the sponsor code Jordan Woods through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Blood donors also can save time 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 donating blood or platelets
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required when checking 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.
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.
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