Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (May 30, 2018) — An American Red Cross blood drive will be held in honor of Anthony “Tony” McNulty, Sunday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 2882 Arlington Ave.
Last June, McNulty went to his local urgent care for leg pain. Three days later, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia which required emergency surgery. After being placed in a medically-induced coma for three weeks, McNulty learned that 96 percent of his bone marrow had leukemia cells in it. As part of his treatment, McNulty receives regular transfusions of blood products and is need of a bone marrow transplant.
The community and members of the church are invited to give blood in McNulty’s honor to help many types of patients, including accident and trauma victims, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies and patients with blood diseases, such as leukemia, sickle cell disease and more. In addition, participants (ages 18 to 44) can be added to the national Be The Match Registry®, where doctors can search to find a matching bone marrow donor for patients such as McNulty.
"The goal of the Donate & Swab 4TONY is to raise awareness within our community about the importance of being on the registry, as well as donating blood,” said Dr. Mia McNulty, Tony’s sister and co-founder of the Nia Imani Heart Association.” With a low percent of African-Americans on the bone marrow registry, and donating it makes it that much harder to find a match for patients in need. Donors of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to give blood to support a diverse blood supply, and to swab for the bone marrow registry.”
The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients. All those who come to donate from May 14 to June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
Food vendors, entertainment and a play area for children will be offered, courtesy of Hope Lutheran Church.
Blood donation appointments for this drive can be scheduled by using the sponsor code TONY through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How to donate blood
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 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.