Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
PEORIA, Ill. — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Alex Sandoval at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, March 1, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hickory Grove Elementary School in Dunlap.
Alex, a first grader at Hickory Grove Elementary School, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in July 2014. He has since received blood and plasma transfusions and is a little over half way through his 120-week treatment. Alex is a happy little boy who happens to be battling a horrible disease. Like many other kids, he plays on his IPad, enjoys soccer, basketball and swimming.
The Sandoval family hopes the Dunlap community will give blood in his honor. “Alex has been an inspiration for our entire family,” said Gabriela Sandoval, Alex’s mother. “He is handling the whole situation like a great warrior. He is aware of what is happening to him and he is doing his part to get better.”
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to honor Alex and help patients in need,” said Caleb Liggin, account manager for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region.
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are 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 approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
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 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.
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.