Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
It’s been nearly four months since Stephanie McKeel received a double lung transplant. The Massena Central graduate has cystic fibrosis and her own lungs were failing. She needed the lung transplant to save her life. For the surgery to be performed, Stephanie needed blood transfusions.
As Stephanie continues to recover, she and her family are hosting a special blood drive in her honor. Suggested quote: “Having a blood drive in Stephanie’s honor is our way of giving back to the community,” said Lisa McKeel, Stephanie’s mother.”Having blood available for Stephanie’s surgery saved her life. We’re asking blood donors to please come out, and help us give hope to others.”
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need.
Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
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.
Donate Blood in Honor of Stephanie McKeel
Thursday, August 25
11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
American Legion- Meeting Room
40 East Orvis Street, Massena
To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org and enter keyword LUNGSOFLOVE or call 1-880-REDCROSS.
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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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