Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Join the American Red Cross for two days of donations on July 26 at Southbridge Mall; July 28 at Mayfair
GREENDALE and WAUWATOSA, Wis. (July 15, 2016) — The American Red Cross urges Milwaukee-area residents to help give hope to hospital patients in need this summer by donating blood at a two-day Day of Donations blood drive at Southridge Mall on Tuesday, July 27, and at Mayfair on Thursday, July 28.
During the Independence Day holiday, many regular donors postponed giving blood due to vacation plans, further depleting an already low blood supply. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. This drive also comes when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need.
The need for lifesaving blood has been witnessed by Trevor Johnson, a registered nurse at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital for 14 years. He has worked in all five of the hospital’s intensive care units, as well as the emergency department. He has spent the past six years as a critical care transport nurse for UW Med Flight. In that capacity, he has seen firsthand the benefits of having blood readily available on the Med Flight helicopters.
“The benefits of blood transfusions in critical care transport include replacement of lost blood volume from massive hemorrhage,” Johnson said. “In addition, transfusions replace lost blood components that are vital for oxygenation of tissues and hemostasis (the stopping of a flow of blood).”
Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. 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.
The Day of Donations blood drives are scheduled as follows:
Southridge Mall
July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Southridge Mall Community Room,
5300 S. 76th St.,
Greendale, WI 53129
Mayfair
July 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mayfair Community Room – G110, Garden East Suites
2500 N. Mayfair Rd.
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
All presenting donors at the Southridge Mall and Mayfair blood drives will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, and a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code. Make your appointment to donate blood today by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Use the sponsor code “southridgemayfair” to register for an appointment.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 (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, 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, cruzrojaamericana.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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