Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL and Memorial Hospital East in Shiloh, IL have agreed to a partnership with the American Red Cross for the next three years. The Red Cross will supply both facilities with over 6,000 blood products including, red cells, platelets and plasma. In addition, the hospitals will host 11 blood drives in 2017.
This new blood services partnership brings two additional area hospitals to the Missouri-Illinois Red Cross Blood Services Region. Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospital East are just two of the 15 hospitals included in the BJC HealthCare system. The first blood drive opportunity comes at Memorial Hospital East on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. A complete list of 2017 Red Cross blood drives at each hospital is listed below:
· Tuesday, Feb. 7 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
· Thursday, Mar. 2 – Memorial Hospital – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, April 4 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
· Tuesday, May 2 – Memorial Hospital – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, June 6 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
· Wednesday, July 5 – Memorial Hospital – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, Aug. 1 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
· Tuesday, Sept. 5 – Memorial Hospital – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, Oct. 3 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
· Tuesday, Oct. 31 – Memorial Hospital – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
· Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Memorial Hospital East – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
“We look forward to working with the American Red Cross in providing blood to our patients,” said Mark J. Turner, president of Memorial Regional Health Services. “I encourage people to give the gift of life by participating in our blood drives.”
The addition of Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospital East means that the Red Cross will now provide over 143,000 blood products annually to the 15 hospitals that they partner with in the BJC HealthCare system. The breakdown includes, 82,000 units of red blood cells, 23,000 platelet products and 19,000 plasma products. This is an increase of more than 6,000 blood products each year.
Red blood cells are most often transfused to patients who have lost blood because of a trauma or surgery. Platelets are given to patients when their blood does not clot properly due to a disease or chemotherapy. Plasma is often given to burn and trauma patients.
“The American Red Cross is thrilled to add Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospital East to our partnership with the BJC HealthCare system,” said Julia Huelsmann, senior manager, American Red Cross, Missouri-Illinois Region. “We will continue to provide lifesaving blood products to help their patients, and look forward to working together in the community.”
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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