Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Lawrenceburg community encouraged to give blood
LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (Aug. 15, 2016) — The American Red Cross and First United Methodist Church are teaming up to host a special blood drive in honor of Elli Creecy, a courageous 5-year-old battling cancer. The community is invited to take part in this opportunity to help save lives on Monday, Aug. 29, from noon to 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Christian Life Center, 212 Waterloo St.
When Elli was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor, a mass of cancer cells in kidney tissue, her family learned firsthand how important blood donations could be. Since her diagnosis in April, Elli has had surgery to remove the tumor and one of her kidneys, as well as begun chemotherapy treatments, which place her at a high chance of needing blood products.
“We felt a blood drive would be a good way to help increase the blood supply so that it is available for Elli and other children who may need it,” said Carla Chandler Creecy, Elli’s mother.
Described as kind, sweet and intelligent, Elli is known for awarding stickers to chemotherapy patients during her hospital visits at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“Even through all of her own struggles, she thinks about others’ needs,” said Creecy. “Her giving and thoughtful heart has encouraged us to help others in her honor.”
The First United Methodist Church blood drive in honor of Elli comes at an important time 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.
Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are 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.
All presenting donors will receive All presenting donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code and special access to purchase discounted tickets to ten Cedar Fair theme parks across the U.S. Cedar Fair will donate $2 from each discounted ticket purchase back to the Red Cross to support its humanitarian mission.
First United Methodist Church in Honor of Elli Creecy
Monday, Aug. 22
noon to 6 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
Christian Life Center
212 Waterloo Street
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
How to donate blood
To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. 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 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.orgor cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.