Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Kick off summer by doing something life changing for a patient in need
Kick off summer and do something life changing for a patient in need. Join the American Red Cross and KHQA-TV as they host the 13th annual 12 Hours of Giving Summer Blood Drive on Friday, May 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the American RedCross Quincy Blood Donation Center, 3000 N. 23rd St. in Quincy.
Start the Memorial Day Weekend by honoring those who serve by giving the gift of life. Roll up a sleeve, give blood and ensure patients in the Quincy area and across the country have the blood products they need. All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross visor, while supplies last.
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.
‘The Red Cross is grateful to the community for supporting patients by donating lifesaving blood,” said Morgan Waterkotte, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Heart of America Services Region. “Blood drive after blood drive generous donors roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life. Their efforts are very much appreciated. ”
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.
Blood donors of all 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. Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. 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 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.