Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Flandreau community encouraged to give blood, March 30
FLANDREAU, S.D. — Hovakah Bosin Jr. is a bright, happy, loving 6-year-old Flandreau Elementary School student who loves video games. Unlike others his age, Hovakah has received blood and platelet transfusions for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hovakah was diagnosed with this disease Nov. 1, 2016.
An American Red Cross blood drive has been scheduled in Hovakah’s honor to help make sure blood is available for patients in need. The community is invited to donate March 30, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Boys & Girls Club of America, 803 W. Community Drive.
“Hovakah is a fighter and we appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers,” said Jessica Hovland, Hovakah’s mother. “We are so grateful for the donors who have donated the blood Hovakah has received. We urge the community to attend the upcoming drive in Hovakah’s honor to help ensure blood continues to be available for him and others who need it.”
Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Blood collected at the blood drive in honor of Hovakah may help many types of patients including accident and trauma victims, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies and patients with blood diseases, such as leukemia, sickle cell disease and more.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. 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 Crossis 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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