Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Super Donor Day encourages all to be a superhero and give blood
The American Red Cross is looking for superheroes. Unveil your super power by giving blood with the Peoria Red Cross Board of Directors at the Summer Super Hero Blood Drive Wednesday, June 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Par-A-Dice Hotel, located at 21 Blackjack Blvd. in East Peoria. The date of the blood drive aligns with World Blood Donor Day, (WBDD), a day dedicated to raising awareness for the need for safe blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, lifesaving gifts of blood.
Some might say the best superhero power is the way blood donors inspire others by donating blood. It’s their selfless act to help with the gift of life that makes their power impressive.
The Red Cross is teaming up with WMBD-TV and Advanced Media Partners June 14 to celebrate World Blood Donor Day. All presenting blood donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, a certificate for a free pint of Culvers Custard, and be entered in a raffle for a chance to win one of fifty $10 Visa Gift Card, compliments of Suburban Propane, whiles supplies last. Great food will also be available from Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, while supplies last.
“The Red Cross is grateful to the Peoria community for supporting patients by donating lifesaving blood,” said Tony Baker, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “We appreciate the efforts of generous donors who roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life.””
WBDD falls on the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (June 14, 1868) who created the ABO blood group system. This system ensures the safety of blood transfusions and is still used today
“The best way to celebrate World Blood Donor Day is to go out and give blood,” said Baker. “There’s a constant need for blood of all types. A single contribution can help save lives, so get out there and give!”
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 constant.
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. There is no substitute for donated blood products.
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.