Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MADISON, Wis. (May 31, 2018) – The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all types to give now to help prevent a summer blood shortage The Red Cross invites the community to give blood Friday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 727 Eight St., in Baraboo.
Those who come to donate can enjoy an on-site cookout catered by Broadway Diner and get a $10 Visa gift card via email and picnic style food sponsored by Suburban Propane, while supplies last.
The Red Cross is grateful for the relationship built with the Baraboo community and their support in hosting blood drives. Giving blood is a simple way to put the Baraboo’s community spirit of service into action and help save lives.
“Last summer we were thrilled when this blood drive collected 127 lifesaving donations,” said Jody Weyers, donor recruitment account manager with the Red Cross.
Blood donations often decline during the summer months when busy summer schedules and vacation plans can cause some donors to be less available to give. Additionally, blood donations at high school and college blood drives, which account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations during the school year, decline when many schools are out of session. But, the need for blood remains constant.
“Patients don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing blood. The need is constant,” said Weyers. “We appreciate the community supporting our lifesaving mission and helping to make sure hospitals are ready to respond to patient needs.”
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 more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
While all blood types are needed, those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. There is no substitute for donated blood products.
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 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.