Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Donors needed to help with blood shortage
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (July 13, 2017) — After a near death experience, a life-changing illness diagnosis and multiple blood and plasma transfusions, Central Point resident Cheyenne Nichols is incredibly grateful to the doctors, nurses, and blood donors who had a hand in helping to save her life. To pay it forward, Clint Nichols, Cheyenne’s husband, encourages friends, family and neighbors to honor his wife by giving blood in honor of Cheyenne July 26, from 1 to 6 p.m., at the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, 89 Alder Street, Central Point.
“The world needs to know that someone as amazing as Cheyenne is alive thanks to blood donations,” said Clint Nichols, Cheyenne’s husband. “I would like to invite the entire Rogue Valley and Harlan communities to donate at this drive. The need to donate blood, especially during the summer months, is great.”
In April 2017, Nichols was diagnosed with secondary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare blood disorder brought on by lymphoma. She needed multiple plasma and blood transfusions during a monthlong hospital stay.
Through all that the Nichols endured – the cancer diagnosis, a month in two different hospitals and two return trips to the emergency room – Cheyenne’s spirit has been not only positive, but grateful to the doctors, nurses and blood donors who had a hand in helping save her life.
“During her hospital stay, Cheyenne handed out giant, bright cards to the doctors, nurses, housekeeping staff and other patients,” Nichols’ husband said. “Each card had a handwritten message like ‘you'll just have to settle for being spectacular,’ and ‘the world needs more you in it!’”
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for donors of all types to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
To give blood in honor of Cheyenne Nichols, simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code JSWCD.
How to donate blood
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.
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