Get ready to rock someone’s world this summer by donating blood with the American Red Cross, KHUB, 105.5, and River Country 97.3. The annual Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve blood drive returns to Fremont July 16, 18 and 19.
All who come out to donate will receive a commemorative Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve T-shirt, as well as a grill out and a $10 Visa gift card provided by Suburban Propane, while supplies last.
Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive
Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fremont Mall, 860 E. 23rd St. in Fremont
Monday, July 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at the City Auditorium, 925 N. Broad St. in Fremont
Tuesday, July 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the City Auditorium, 925 N. Broad St. in Fremont
Appointments are encouraged, though walk-ins are always welcome. To schedule a donation, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS, and use sponsor code FremontRNR.
This party with a purpose comes when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need. During the Independence Day holiday, many regular donors postponed giving blood due to vacation plans, further depleting an already low blood supply.
Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Every two seconds in the United States 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. 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.
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.