BILOXI, Miss. (June 12, 2018) — Since 1988, the American Red Cross has partnered with local media to help maintain a substantial summer blood supply. The community is invited to celebrate summer and help save lives at the 31st annual Media for Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, June 26 through Friday, June 29, 2018, at the following locations: Tuesday, June 26 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Galleria BMW in D’Ibervile; Wednesday, June 27 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – DJ Campus in Gautier; Thursday, June 28 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Hollywood Casino & Resort in Bay St. Louis; Friday, June 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ms. Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, Ms.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood through the Missing Types campaign. The goal of Missing Types is to inspire new blood donors and those who haven’t given in a while to give this summer and become a regular blood donor for patients in need in the years to come. For the past four years, new Red Cross blood donors have declined by about 80,000 each year. More blood donors are needed now to fill the gaps.
Parents like Claudia Dubose, from Gulfport, Ms. understand how blood can impact their children. “If it wasn’t for blood donors, my son wouldn’t be here,” said Claudia, who went into premature labor, giving birth to a one-pound baby boy. “Because of my son’s condition, he required many blood transfusions. It was a blessing to know people took the time to donate blood.”
“The Media for Red Cross Blood Drive is the largest drive in the Gulf Coast,” says Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment with the Red Cross. “Since the inception of the drive in 1988, almost 11,000 pints of blood have been collected. We thank WLOX, WXXV, The Sun Herald and WQRZ for their continued support.”
Those who attend the Media for Red Cross Blood Drive will receive Domino’s Pizza and a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
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 or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) sponsor code: Gulf Coast. 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.