Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (July 12, 2018) — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Nick Brletic at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Friday, July 20, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hubbard GM in Monticello.
Nick, a Twin Lakes High School graduate and Monticello native, passed away due to severe injuries after an automobile accident in 2014, at age 23. Large amounts of blood were used to sustain his life before he passed. His family is grateful blood was available to support him.
“Nick loved his life, family and friends,” said Stacy Jacobs, Nick’s mother. “He was a loving, caring and compassionate young man with a magnetic infectious smile.”
His family hopes to honor Nick’s memory by hosting a blood drive in his name to help others who suffer traumatic injuries. “We would love to see everyone who is willing to give to come to this blood drive,” Jacobs said. The family has established the Nicholas A. Brletic Foundation to bring awareness to the issues of traumatic brain injury.
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Dianna Weiss, 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 Nick’s name is a wonderful way to honor him and potentially help others in need.”
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces an emergency blood shortage and is issuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatment they need. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations are immediately needed to help replenish the blood supply.
Donate blood in memory of Nick Brletic
Friday, July 20, 2018
2 to 7 p.m.
Hubbard GM
901 W. Broadway St., Monticello, IN 47960
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 across Indiana.
Everyone who comes to donate now through September 3 can receive an exclusive Cedar Fair ticket offer that helps support the Red Cross. Blood drive participants can go to RedCrossBlood.org/CedarFair to purchase discounted tickets for gate admission. For each ticket purchased through the website, Cedar Fair will donate $2 to the Red Cross to support its humanitarian mission.
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