Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
KOKOMO, Ind. (Sept. 26, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Brad Joyce at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Saturday, Oct. 6, from 12 to 5 p.m. at Circus City Speedway in Peru. With a goal to collect 60 pints of blood at this year’s drive, his family hopes to surpass 275 donations made in his name.
Brad, a Kokomo native, was typically found at a local ball park or dirt track supporting his grandchildren and having fun with family and friends. He was a big fan of racing as well. He was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in November 2015. Though he lost his battle with the cancer in May 2016, many transfusions of blood and platelets helped him live longer to spend more time with his family and loved ones.
“We would love to see anyone willing to come and donate blood at this special drive in memory of him,” said Nikole Joyce Bolton, Brad’s daughter.
Those who come to give blood at this blood drive will receive free entrance to the Circus City Speedway grandstands to enjoy the races the same evening. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. In addition, all those who come to give blood with the Red Cross in October will be automatically entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants.
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to remember Brad and help other patients battling cancer,” said Toni Fox, account manager for the American Red Cross.
This blood drive comes as parts of the Southeast U.S. are being affected by Hurricane Florence, with more than 200 blood drives being cancelled, resulting in over 6,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross encourages blood and platelet donations in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Platelet and type O blood donations are critically needed right now.
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.
Donate Blood in memory of Brad Joyce
Saturday, Oct.6, 2018
12 to 5 p.m.
Circus City Speedway
1029 W. 200 N., Peru, IN 46970
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.