Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some wear uniforms, while others do not. The American Red Cross invites Omaha to honor both the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and heroes in the community by helping save a life at the upcoming Honor Our Heroes blood drive Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alley V, 3375 Oakview Drive.
Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. It’s the blood products on the shelves today that help save lives in an emergency, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood and platelets for those in need of transfusions.
“Every day is a chance to do something life changing and heroic,” said Blair Bonczynski, Red Cross Donor Recruitment account manager. “Giving blood is a way to acknowledge the heroes in the community and to ensure it’s available for others in need.”
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 (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 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.
