Community invited to help save lives at Russellville High School blood drive

School to host Alabama’s largest single-day high school blood drive Feb. 11

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (Jan. 28, 2020) — The American Red Cross invites donors to give at its largest single-day high school blood drive in Alabama.

• The drive will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Russellville High School in the gym located at 1865 Waterloo Road in Russellville.
• Blood drives began at the school in 2003 and more than 3,678 pints of blood have been given. The drive is sponsored by the National Honor Society and this year’s goal is to collect a record-breaking 400 pints in one day, which will total collections to be more than 4,000. Presenting donors will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last.
• High school and college students play an important role in supporting the blood supply. Blood donors from high school and college blood drives account for about 20 percent of donations given through the Red Cross during the school year.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to help ensure a stable blood supply and support the students who are working to make this blood drive a success for patients,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Alabama-Mississippi Region. “Donating blood takes about an hour and could help save up to three lives.”

The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients in need. Blood is needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.

How to donate blood

Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code RSVHS or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

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.