Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
DEKALB, Ill. (Sept. 24, 2018) — Homecoming is right around the corner, which means it’s time to bleed black and red and join the American Red Cross in helping to save lives at the Northern Illinois University Homecoming Blood Drive Thursday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chick Evans Field House.
All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross stadium blanket, while supplies last.
Special thanks to the NIU Greek Life, Campus Activities Board and the Student Health Organization for helping to save lives at this blood drive. This year’s blood drive is expected to collect 74 lifesaving donations.
“NIU and the students, alumni, and staff have done an incredible job at this blood drive and it always helps ensure that we are providing the blood our hospitals and patients need,” said Janet Jarvis, donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross Heart of America blood services region. “We’re asking all Husky fans and alumni to show their school pride by giving the gift of life to patients in need.”
This blood drive comes as Hurricane Florence’s wrath left catastrophic damage behind and took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations.
The Red Cross encourages blood and platelet donations in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Platelet and type O positive blood donations are critically needed right now.
The need for blood is constant. On average, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 donations every day to meet the needs of patients in Illinois and across the country. Blood donors of all types are needed. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no substitute for donated blood products.
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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.