Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The community is invited to give blood in honor of cancer survivors, Latrell Scott and Olivia “Libby” Cates, at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in their names Monday, March 11, 3 to 7 p.m. at Sammy McClure Middle School, 315 Bob Grogan Drive in Dallas. Presenting donors will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Teacher duo and close friends, Latrell Scott and Olivia “Libby” Cates, have both battled cancer and are now bringing the community together to help other cancer patients. Cates was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer March 2018. Scott was diagnosed with stage 2 Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer on March 6, 2018. She completed treatment Sept. 2018 and is currently in remission. Scott and Cates received treatment together, and were both known to be hard working teachers, with a smile, no matter how tough their cancer battles had gotten. Today they are encouraging fellow teachers, faculty, staff and parents to come out and donate blood.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is recovering from a severe blood shortage in January.
“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”, said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide, including 90 hospitals in the Southern Region.”
This blood drive will help the blood supply recover from a donation shortfall over the winter holidays that prompted the Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now. Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and type O blood donors, are needed to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care.
Donate Blood in honor of Latrell Scott and Olivia “Libby” Cates
Monday, March. 11, 3 to 7 p.m.
Sammy McClure Middle School Cafeteria
315 Bob Grogan Drive, Dallas, GA 30132
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, search for a blood drive using sponsor code: SMMS 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.