Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross honors those who donate blood and platelets, organize blood drives and volunteer in communities across the country. Red Cross Month is a celebration of the dedicated supporters who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities and deliver help and hope during emergencies.
Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross and its supporters help people down the street and across the country.
During Red Cross Month, the Keller Army Community Hospital will host its annual blood drive. The blood drive is open to active and reserve duty military members, cadets, retirees, and civilians. It will be held at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Eisenhower Hall, the following days:
· Monday, March 27 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.
· Tuesday, March 28 from 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
· Wednesday, March 29 from 12:00-7:00 p.m.
· Thursday, March 30 from 12:00- 6:00 p.m.
The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. In the New York-Penn Region, approximately 1000 units are collected each day to care for patients in 90 hospitals in New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
“Only about 3 percent of the total U.S. population donates blood each year,” said Patty Corvaia, communications manager for the Red Cross New York Penn Blood Services Region. “When a donor gives blood, they have an impact on up to three lives. This special group helps us fulfill our lifesaving mission every day.”
Blood and platelets are 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.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged. To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit http://goo.gl/ucjfsI.
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.
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