Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
All eligible donors are needed to help save lives at the 10th annual Hurricane Katrina Memorial Blood Drive on Monday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. Since 2006, generous donors have helped the American Red Cross collect more than 3,380 pints of blood at this drive.
This blood drive comes during the difficult summer months, a time when many regular donors postpone giving blood due to vacation plans and summer activities. 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.
“It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives before, during and after a disaster,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment for the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “This blood drive is a great opportunity to remember those impacted by Hurricane Katrina and help hospital patients in need.”
Those who come to donate will receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, and a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.
Hurricane Katrina Memorial Blood Drive
Monday, Aug. 29 from noon to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Edgewater Mall
2600 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39531
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code KATRINA or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. 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.