Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Roy L. King VFW 1232 hosts blood drive to help save lives
PEKIN, Ill. — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Lance Cpl. Jordan Bastean at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, March 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Roy L. King VFW 1232, 15665 VFW Road, in Pekin.
Jordan, a fallen Marine who gave his life for freedom and for his country, was killed in action while serving with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan in 2011. On March 10, Bastean would have celebrated his 25th birthday.
“I thought we could have a birthday bash for him and help to save lives by giving blood,” said Kathy Bastean, Jordan’s mother. “This blood drive is to celebrate his birthday not by mourning the loss of Jordan, but by celebrating his life.”
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 patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to honor Bastean and help patients in need,” said Tony Baker, account manager for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “The Bastean family hopes the Pekin community will give blood in his memory.”
Blood Drive in memory of Jordan Bastean
Saturday, March 25, 2017
2 to 6 p.m.
Roy L. King VFW 1232
15665 VFW Road, Pekin, IL 61554
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.