Rock 'N Roll Up Your Sleeve to help patients in need

Get ready to Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve with the American Red Cross, Omaha’s Greatest Hits 99.9 KGOR and WOWT NBC Omaha. Now in its 24th year, the longest-running special event blood drive in the Red Cross Midwest Blood Services Region returns this year with two opportunities to give – Friday, June 2, at Baxter Arena in Omaha and Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, and Thursday, June 8, at NOAH’s Event Venue in Omaha.

 

Since the mid-1990’s, volunteer blood donors have made the Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve blood drive a huge success with more than 2,500 pints of blood collected since 2010.

 

Friday, June 2

6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, Council Bluffs

Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St.

 

Thursday, June 8

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

NOAH’s Event Venue

17121 Marcy St.

 

To schedule a donation appointment, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS and use sponsor code RNR2017 to donate at Baxter Arena, CBRNR2017 to donate at Mid-America Center, or WestRNR2017 to donate at NOAH’s Event Venue. Appointments are encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome.

 

All who come to donate will receive a commemorative Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve T-shirt and special refreshments, while supplies last.

 

As a national network, the Red Cross has a unique responsibility to help ensure blood is available for patients whenever and wherever it is needed. Donations through the Red Cross could help patients at local hospitals, those who must travel outside the area for medical treatment, and friends and family nationwide. The Red Cross couldn’t fulfill its mission without partners like Omaha’s Greatest Hits 99.9 KGOR and WOWT NBC Omaha.

 

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.

 

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.