Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (May 7, 2018) – The community is invited to rock and roll up a sleeve by giving blood at the annual Sweetwater GearFest American Red Cross blood drive Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, in Fort Wayne.
GearFest is the largest music gear trade show in the country that is free and open to the general public, featuring new gear, workshops, performances and giveaways. Those who come to give blood at this event will receive a voucher for a free gift from the D’Addario booth, plus be entered into a drawing for one of four $100 Sweetwater gift cards. See more details on Sweetwater GearFest online at sweetwater.com/gearfest.
The Sweetwater GearFest blood drive comes at a critical time for the Red Cross, when blood donations often decline during the busy summer months. While the need for blood is constant, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors during this time.
“Hospital patients don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing lifesaving blood,” said Chris Hursh, recruitment manager for the Red Cross. “That’s why summer blood donations are vitally important.”
With high schools and colleges in recess and many donors taking time off for vacation, the summer months can be among the most challenging times of the year for the Red Cross to recruit blood donors.
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 more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
Sweetwater GearFest Blood Drive
Friday, June 22, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sweetwater GearFest, 5501 US Hwy 30 West, Fort Wayne, IN 46818
To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code: GearFest
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 and platelet donors can 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.