Red Cross blood drive in honor of Deb Yates

Deb Yates knows firsthand how important blood donation are for patients. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in December 2015 and needed surgery and a blood transfusion. 

 

When Yates started donating blood at 17 years old, it was because she enjoyed the idea of helping others. “I never thought that I would be on the receiving end of blood donations,” she said.

 

While the entire Geneva community is encouraged to donate at this drive, Yates would especially like to see high school students and young adults come out to give. “It costs nothing, is easy to do and can really make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.

 

 

This drive comes at a particularly difficult time for the Red Cross. Many schools that hold blood drives are out of session during the summer months and vacation and summer schedules may cause some donors to be unavailable to give. This makes it a hard time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. Right now, blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations come in. 

 

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.

 

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.