Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 28, 2020) — Portland Fire & Rescue, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Red Cross are joining together for a community blood drive in honor of cancer patients – many of whom may need blood products as part of their treatment. The blood drive will be held Tuesday, March 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Station 1, 55 SW Ash St.
Blood drive honors loved ones through donation
Every minute, five units of blood are needed to help someone going through cancer.
Roseburg Assistant Fire Chief Merrill Gonterman, who is helping organize the blood drive, almost lost his daughter, Hannah Gonterman, to leukemia. Hannah Gonterman was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia while 24 weeks pregnant and needed critical medical treatment to save her life, including 40 units of blood. At 34 weeks, she delivered a healthy baby boy.
Chief Gonterman was so inspired by Red Cross blood donors who helped his daughter, that he not only began donating blood himself, but also organizes blood drives like the March 10 blood drive to honor her and other patients in need.
“My daughter, Hannah, and grandson, Jennson, would not be here today if it wasn’t for people donating blood,” said Chief Gonterman. “When friends and family first asked how they could help when Hannah was in the hospital, I would tell them to donate blood because blood donors helped save their lives.”
Donors of all blood types - especially type O negative are needed. The Red Cross encourages donors to schedule their appointments in advance, but walk-ins also are welcome.
To schedule an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device and use sponsor code PortlandFire. As a thank-you, those come to donate will receive a voucher for two free tacos courtesy of Koi Fusion.
How to donate blood
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% 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.