Ivy Tech and city of Gary invite community to join joint blood drive

To help the American Red Cross kick off a life changing summer, Ivy Tech and the city of Gary are partnering for the first time to host A Summer of Saving Lives Blood Drive on Thursday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College Northwest in Gary.

 

Both groups hope this collaboration will inspire the community to come give blood at a time when donations typically decline at the start of summer. “Summer is one of the most challenging periods to ensure enough blood is on hand for any type of medical emergency that could arise,” said Lori Caputo, recruitment manager for the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. “This blood drive is the perfect time to kick off the summer by helping patients live to see another summer day.”

 

By working together, Ivy Tech and the city of Gary hope to double the usual turn out at area blood drives from around 15 donations to 30 donations. Blood donations made through the Red Cross help Indiana residents who need transfusions, like three-year old CJ Moreno of Hammand who is battling cancer. CJ loves playing soccer and basketball and enjoys bike riding. He was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, AML, and needs a bone marrow transplant. Throughout his treatment CJ has received blood transfusions on a regular basis and may need more as treatment continues. 

 

The Red Cross depends on blood donors across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. In Indiana alone, the Red Cross needs about 550 donors each day to support patients at 80 hospitals across the state.

 

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.

 

Those who come out to donate blood or platelets by May 14 will have a chance to win one of three $1,000 gift card shopping sprees from GiftCertificates.com. 

 

Thursday, May 4, 2017

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ivy Tech Community College Northwest

1440 E. 35^th Ave., Gary, IN 46409

 

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.

 

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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