Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
City Blood Challenge collects more than 1,000 units of blood for patients in need
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 21, 2016) — For the fourth consecutive year, the American Red Cross issued a challenge to cities in Oregon and Washington: sponsor a blood drive and help bolster the community blood supply during the summer when blood donations tend to decrease. Twenty-six cities stepped up to help patients in need.
The 2016 Red Cross City Blood Challenge was held from Aug. 1 through Sept. 11 and collected more than 1,100 pints of blood. Participating cities included Albany, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, Gervais, Grants Pass, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hermiston, Lake Oswego, Lebanon, McMinnville, Medford, Milwaukie, Newberg, Oregon City, Portland, Redmond, Roseburg, Salem, Tigard and West Linn in Oregon and Kelso, Longview, Ridgefield and Vancouver in Washington.
Several cities earned special distinctions for achievements associated with their blood drives.
· Lake Oswego – most presenting blood donors (163 donors) and most blood collected (141 pints)
· Milwaukie – highest percentage of blood drive goal achieved at nearly 130 percent, and 22 pints collected
· Happy Valley – most first-time blood donors (20 donors) and 140 pints collected
The Red Cross will present the City of Lake Oswego with a trophy for bringing in the most blood donors and collecting the most blood during the City Blood Challenge. The trophy will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. during the Lake Oswego City Council Meeting in Council Chambers, 380 A Ave.
With schools out of session and regular donors often on vacation, summer can be a challenging time of year to collect blood.
“Thanks to the cities that participated in the City Challenge and generous blood donors, the Red Cross was able to help patients in need across the Pacific Northwest by providing lifesaving blood products,” said Amy Shlossman, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “It is through our strong partnerships with blood drive sponsors like the City of Lake Oswego that we can provide a safe and stable blood supply to more than 60 hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
The Red Cross is actively searching for new blood drive sponsors in Oregon and Washington. Interested groups can find more information about hosting a blood drive at redcrossblood.org.
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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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