Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Nov. 14, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Emery Twehues at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in her name Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Goddard School in Canal Winchester.
Emery, who attends the Goddard School, is a happy and energetic child who turned 5 in August. She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on Easter of this year. She has received blood and platelet transfusions during her months of intense treatments. She may need more transfusions as her treatment continues.
Her parents are no strangers to the complexity of the medical world. Her mother, Morgan, is a post-doctoral researcher in radiation and oncology at the Ohio State University Medical Center, and her father, Andrew serves as a pulmonologist at Fairfield Medical Center. “Emery would not be able to recovery from her chemotherapy without lifesaving transfusions,” said Morgan.
This is the second blood drive held in Emery’s name. The first blood drive, held in July, resulted in 57 donations. The family seeks 50 donations at this second blood drive in her honor.
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Jane MacMillan, donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. “We take for granted that blood will be there at the hospital when we need it, but it can only come from generous volunteer donors. Giving blood in Emery’s name is a wonderful way to honor her and potentially help others in need.”
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed – largely due to less groups signing up to host blood drives and worsened by widespread blood drive cancellations caused by hurricanes Florence and Michael.
Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors, are urgently needed to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter.
Donate blood in honor of Emery Twehues
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Goddard School
6405 Canal Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
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.
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.