ROCKFORD, Ill. (April 30, 2019) —The American Red Cross of Northern Illinois invites the community to give blood Thursday, May 28 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Red Cross, 727 N. Church St., in Rockford. All who attempt to donate will receive a Red Cross T-Shirt, while supplies last and will be entered to win raffle baskets and other giveaways.
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to give now to help ensure blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters. In thanks, all those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross May 1 through June 10, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
During this event, the Red Cross will host an open house educating the community on their services. Whether it is helping to save lives through blood collection and distribution, health and safety training, disaster preparedness, providing basic needs to people affected by disasters, or offering services to members of the U.S. military and their families – the Red Cross is there.
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work for the Red Cross. More information on volunteering opportunities will be available at the event.
May is Trauma Awareness month and the Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient supply of blood is available for patient emergencies. Major traumas can quickly deplete a hospital’s blood supply. By giving blood, platelets or plasma regularly, donors can help ensure that enough blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters.
“Many people don’t understand the importance of having blood on the shelves, especially when the unexpected happens,” said Janet Jarvis, donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross. “You just never know when you or a loved one will be the one in need. I urge anyone who is able to donate to take an hour out of their day and give blood.”
Last year in the Rockford community nearly 85 lifesaving donations were collected at blood drives.
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. Each day, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,500 hospitals across the country.
While all blood 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.
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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.
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.