Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Streator community encouraged to give blood
An American Red Cross blood drive will be held in memory of Inez Heusel Thursday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 204 S. Monroe St., Streator.
Heusel was a Red Cross volunteer for more than 20 years and also donated blood. She died in July 2014 after suffering two strokes.
“This is the third blood drive held in Inez’s memory and it is a great way for her family to carry out her commitment to helping hospital patients in need of blood,” said Tracy Fox, market manager, American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region.
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for donors of all types to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
Every day, the Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of hospital patients across the country. Eligible donors are needed to help patients such as accident victims, heart surgery patients and children with blood disorders.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. 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.