Community urged to give and help family reach 250 pint milestone
The American Red Cross is joining family and friends to host the eighth annual blood drive in memory of Mike Hogan Saturday, May 20 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc.
In October 2007, Mike was tragically killed in a car accident, leaving behind his wife and two children. Mike had a rare blood type and was a regular donor with the Red Cross. He knew the importance of giving and donated every time he was eligible.
Mike was a long-time member of the Oconomowoc community and a graduate of Oconomowoc High School. The annual blood drive in his memory has collected more than 240 pints of blood for patients in need.
“We enjoy seeing Mike’s friends at the blood drive as well as Oconomowoc High School students, some of whom are donating for the first time,” said Mike’s widow, Laura. “Please help keep Mike’s gift going by donating at this blood drive.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
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 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 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 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 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.