Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
ELKHART, Ind. (Dec. 12, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Kyle Kubina at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Thursday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pinnacle Transport Group in Elkhart.
Kyle, 37, who currently lives in Valparaiso, is an outdoorsman who loves to hike, camp and ski. He is a model of fitness, but was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of cancer, on April 13, 2018. He has undergone two brain surgeries and will enter a clinical trial in December. Blood and platelet transfusions are critical for those undergoing treatment for cancer. Kyle has received transfusions and may need more as treatment continues.
The Kubina family and Pinnacle Transport Group invite the community to give blood in honor of Kyle to help those battling cancer.
“We would love to see coworkers and members of the community come together to give blood in honor of Kyle,” said Bethany Kubina, Kyle’s sister and Pinnacle Transport Group employee.
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Marla Miller, 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 Kyle’s name is a wonderful way to honor him and potentially help others.”
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a blood shortage. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed – largely due to less groups signing up to host blood drives and worsened by widespread blood drive cancellations caused by hurricanes Florence and Michael. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients.
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, including 80 hospitals in Indiana.
Donate Blood in honor of Kyle Kubina
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pinnacle Transport Group
2206 Toledo Road, Elkhart, IN 46516
Those who come to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross from Dec. 20 to Jan. 6 will receive a Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
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.