MADISON, Wis. — The 31st annual
Holiday Blood Drive is the largest one-day blood drive in the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region, with more than 700 community members rolling up a sleeve to help save lives each year. This year’s event will reach a special milestone of more than 20,000 donations made since its inception.
To help make sure patients continue to receive the blood products they need this winter, the Red Cross is partnering with WKOW and Wisconsin State Journal to host the 31st annual Holiday Blood Drive on Dec. 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison. Attendees can help make history, save lives, enjoy entertainment and holiday refreshments, and receive a free Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
“The winter months can be among the most challenging times of year for the American Red Cross to collect enough blood donations,” said Michelle Meekma-Yaun, account manager for the Red Cross. “Many donors are busy with holiday activities, and inclement weather can force the cancellation of blood drives. Additionally, some donors become temporarily ineligible because of seasonal illnesses. We sincerely appreciate our donors’ commitment to helping save lives year after year.”
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,
click here 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.
