Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
RICHMOND, Ind. (Nov. 28, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Alaina Dickey at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in her name Sunday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dennis Middle School in Richmond.
Alaina is a 12-year-old student at Richmond Community Schools and loves dancing. On July 23, 2018, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer. She has already received many blood and platelet transfusions during treatment and may need more as treatment continues.
Alaina’s school and family are inspired by her strength and invite the community to give blood in her honor.
“Alaina is showing the world around her that cancer will not define who she is, will not stop her from dancing her heart out, nor will it keep her from her best friends,” said Lynn Roscoe, Alaina’s mother. “Somehow this girl has shown pure bravery.”
“Hosting this blood drive in her name is a wonderful way to honor Alaina and potentially help others in need of transfusions,” said Sally Fox, donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a severe 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. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter.
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.
Blood Drive in honor of Alaina Dickey
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dennis Middle School
Enter door 4, South side of building
222 NW 7th St., Richmond, IN 47374
Those who come to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross from Nov. 25 to Dec. 19 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email.
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.