Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The American Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood donors, and the North Carolina State University community is stepping in to help.
The NC State blood drive will be held Thursday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Talley Student Union Ballroom. All presenting donors will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last, and a $5 Amazon gift card code.
The NC State blood drive comes during the difficult summer months, a time when many regular donors postpone giving blood due to vacation plans and summer activities. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
“The summer can be an incredibly challenging season for the Red Cross to collect the donations patients need,” said Mike Taylor, a donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. “That’s why the NC State blood drive is so critical. The blood drive is a meaningful way for students to kick off the school year while helping to mitigate the shortfall.”
Donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment for the blood drive by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code “NCSU,” calling 1-800-RED CROSS or downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Representatives from Be The Match On Campus at NC State will also be at the blood drive to raise awareness on the importance of bone marrow donors for patients in need. For thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia or other diseases like sickle cell anemia, a marrow transplant is their only hope for life. Patients need a matching tissue type which is inherited and is different from a blood type match. These patients often rely on lifesaving blood donations while waiting for a marrow donor match. Those ages 18 to 44 can register to be added to the Be The Match marrow registry by completing a cheek swab.
To learn more about scheduling a blood drive on campus, contact Mike Taylor at 919-525-4752 or mike.taylor@redcross.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.