Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
This summer do something life changing for a patient in need
This summer, do something life changing for a patient in need. Roll up a sleeve, give blood and help ensure patients in the Monroe community and across the country have the blood products they need. The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive Monday, June 26 from 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 2227 Fourth St. in Monroe.
All participants will get a $10 Visa gift card courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last. For the third summer, Suburban Propane is a proud national sponsor of the Red Cross Blood Services. By partnering together they educate the public about the need for blood and platelets.
The Red Cross is grateful for the relationship built with the Monroe community and for their support in hosting blood drives. Since 2005, more than 10,000 pints of blood have been collected. With each donation, up to three lives may be saved. Giving blood is a simple way to put the Monroe’s community spirit of service into action and help save lives.
Blood donations often decline during the summer months when busy summer schedules and vacation plans can cause some donors to be less available to give. Additionally, blood donations at high school and college blood drives, which account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations during the school year, decline when many schools are out of session. But, the need for blood remains.
“Patients don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing blood. The need is constant,” said Diane Nichols, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “We appreciate the community supporting our lifesaving mission and helping to make sure hospitals are ready to respond to patient needs.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood is 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 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.