Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Largest NIU blood drive in history
DEKALB, Ill. – The community is invited to join Northern Illinois University, the Student Association – Greek Week, and the Student Health Organization to ensure area patients receive the blood products they need at NIU’s Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, April 5, from noon to 6 p.m., at Chick Evans Field House.
Everyone who participates in the NIU Red Cross Blood Drive will be a part of making NIU history by helping to reach the largest blood collection goal ever set by the university – 100 donations. Participants will also receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last, on behalf of the National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge.
Those who wish to register to be a bone marrow donor can do so at this blood drive at no cost through a simple cheek swab by DKMS. Participants can then be added to the national Be The Match Registry®, where doctors can search to find a matching donor for their patient.
Students play a vital role in helping ensure hospital patients in Illinois and across the country have the blood products they need. In fact, donors from high school and college blood drives account for about 20 percent of donations given through the American Red Cross.
“The NIU Blood Drive is a perfect opportunity for students, faculty and alumni to make a difference this spring,” said Lisa La Sala, executive director with the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. It’s important to remember that each donor will walk away with the knowledge that their generous gift is helping save the lives of patients in need. The timing of this blood drive is perfect as April 7 is World Health Day.”
“Blood and platelet donations are needed so patients can receive lifesaving treatments,” said Janet Jarvis, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “We encourage donors to invite a friend, family member or co-worker to donate with them to help meet patient needs.”
Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
The need for blood is constant. On average, the Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients in Wisconsin and across the country. Donors with all blood types are currently needed.
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.