Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The 30th annual community blood drive in honor of Sheriff Todd A. Martin is set for Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at St Luke Catholic Church. Todd Martin was hired as a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy in 1982, was voted in as sheriff in 1995 and has continued serving in that role ever since.
As a blood recipient, Martin has fought an ongoing battle multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma, a form of blood cancer with no known cure as well as. At that time of his diagnosis in 2004, he was only given two months to live, but his strength prevailed and he beat the odds. The multiple myeloma was in remission until 2008, when the cancer invaded his hip and required him to undergo a total hip replacement.
“Whenever I need blood during my treatment, it is there for me,” said Sheriff Martin. “I want to continue to show my appreciation by encouraging people to give so that other lives might also be saved.”
Aside from also being a regular blood donor himself, Martin proved to be a lifesaver in other ways as well. In 1988 the Red Cross recognized Martin for his help to rescue a drowning boy in Stroud Township. He performed CPR, revived the child and later delivered a teddy bear to him at the hospital. The husband and proud father of three also has a personal motto that encouraged him to keep fighting after his initial diagnosis. “You aspire to inspire before you expire.”
This blood drive comes at a time when the Red Cross has issued 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. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
As an additional special thank you for coming to donate, all presenting donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code. All presenting donors will also receive a coupon for a free 57.6 oz bottle of Turkey Hill Haymakers. To make an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org (Sponsor Code: Stroudsburgcommunity) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). *All offers and items are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash.
Give blood in honor of Sheriff Martin
St. Luke Catholic Church
Tues., Aug. 16 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
818 West Main Street | Stroudsburg, Pa
How to donate blood
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, from a home or work computer 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.
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