Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
BILOXI, Miss. — 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 33rd annual Media for Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 27 at multiple locations on the Gulf coast. All presenting blood donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt and other special treats, while supplies last!* Also, thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.**
With no known end date to the coronavirus fight, the American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals to make appointments to donate blood to ensure blood remains readily available for patients who still rely on transfusions.
The need for blood for trauma patients, children battling cancer, mothers experiencing childbirth complications, patients with sickle cell disease and others continues. Donated blood has a limited shelf life of 42 days for red cells, so the supply must constantly be replenished. One blood donation can help save up to three lives and volunteer blood donors are the only way to ensure a stable blood supply.
“The need for blood is constant and volunteer donors are the only source to help patients in need,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager, Red Cross Alabama-Mississippi Blood Services Region. “WLOX, WXXV, Coast Radio Group and the Sun Herald have been committed partners, and these blood drives will assist the Red Cross to have a readily available blood supply, which is critical for patients whose survival depends on transfusion.”
Eligible donors with type O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at these locations. Power Reds give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employees.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:
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) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, sponsor code: gulfcoast.
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, from a computer or mobile device 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% 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.
*Offers and items are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash. Items are available while supplies last.
**Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.