Join Red Cross leadership to help save lives

June 27 event comes during summer’s blood collection challenges

CHICAGO, Ill. (June 7, 2019) — Blood donors of all types are needed to help ensure blood products are available for patients now and into the summer. The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illlinois board of directors invites the community to give blood Thursday, June 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Red Cross Rauner Center, 2200 W. Harrison St., Chicago. All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, a $10 Visa card (via email) and enjoy picnic style food, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last.

This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood through the Missing Types campaign. Despite blood’s lifesaving role, only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood each year. The goal of Missing Types is to inspire new and current blood donors to give this summer and help fill the missing types.

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 about 2,500 hospitals across the country.

“There are 2,328 hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We are asking you to give us one hour to help maintain a stable blood supply and help to save a life,” said Celena Roldan, chief executive officer with the Red Cross. “We appreciate community members for their support in getting this message out and encouraging people to come out and donate.”

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 American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: ChicagoBoard 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.