Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Dunlap Valley Middle School community helps save lives on April 27
PEORIA, Ill. — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Brooke Joseph at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, April 27, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Dunlap Valley Middle School.
A science teacher at Dunlap Valley Middle School, Brooke was diagnosed with cancer. Blood transfusions helped Brooke survive her cancer until she passed in April 2015. She was a beloved teacher, friend, coworker and inspiration to all that knew her.
“Brooke was a tremendous teacher and a better person”, said Jason Holmes, principal at Dunlap Valley Middle School. “She always placed students first while sharing her passion for science. The faculty, staff and students hope the community will give blood in Brooke’s honor so that other lives can be saved.”
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 nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
“Hosting this blood drive in her name is a wonderful way to honor Brooke and help patients in need,” said Caleb Liggin, account manager for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region.
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 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.