Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Streator Community encouraged to give in honor of Alison Wissen
STREATOR, Ill. — The American Red Cross is joining family and friends to host a blood drive in honor of Alison Wissen, Monday, April 3, from 1-6 p.m. in Streator.
Alison suffered from both placenta previa and placenta percreta during the birth of her daughter, Gwendolyn. Placenta percreta is the most rare and severe form of placenta accreta. This condition results in the placenta not being able to detach during delivery and risks catastrophic hemorrhage and death for the mother.
Alison lost one and a half times her total blood volume during the delivery of her daughter. She spent seven hours in surgery to repair the damage.
“I would not be alive if it weren’t for blood donors. Even the skilled hands of my surgeons would not have been able to save my life without blood donations,” said Alison. “I will be forever grateful to those who donate blood so my three children have their mother.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter code “summa” 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.