KOKOMO, Ind. (June 1, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Kokomo resident Charlie Manning at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Saturday, June 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main Street United Methodist Church in Kokomo.
In early 2018, Charlie Manning suffered complications from diverticulitis after a fall that caused a perforated colon. He was rushed to the hospital where he ended up having multiple surgeries over the next week, using more than 30 units of blood. He remains hospitalized as his treatment continues.
Charlie is known as a caring father, teacher and friend. He previously taught math, science, chemistry and physics at Royal Center High School and Western High School before working for Delco Electronics, where he retired. His family of four children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren are the delight of his life.
His family and friends are organizing a blood drive in his name to raise awareness about how important blood donors are in helping treat patients. “Charlie needed over 30 blood transfusions,” said Delores Manning, Charlie’s wife. “That blood is so important and helped save his life.” The Manning family invites the entire community to donate blood in his honor to help patients.
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Toni Fox, 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 Charlie’s name is a wonderful way to honor him and potentially help others in need.”
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.
Donate Blood in honor of Charlie Manning
Saturday, June 9, 2018
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Main Street United Methodist Church
830 South Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901
All those who come to donate from May 14 to June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
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 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.