The Red Cross asks donors to do good things this summer

Give blood at the 22nd annual Madison Beach Days Blood Drive July 1 

MADISON, Wis. (June 9, 2022) — Join the American Red Cross and Audacy Madison at the 22nd annual Madison Beach Days Blood Drive Friday, July 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, 706 John Nolen Drive. Appointments are encouraged, walk-ins taken as space permits.

The ballroom of the Sheraton will be transformed into a beach friendly atmosphere where eligible blood donors can donate lifesaving blood. All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag, a $10 gift card (via email) and picnic style food, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last.

The American Red Cross is asking donors to be part of something big by making an appointment to give blood or platelets. Blood donations often take a dip around the Fourth of July holiday - but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break.

“Volunteer donors are the unsung heroes for patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions,” said Kyle Kriegl, Executive Director for the American Red Cross of Wisconsin Southwest Chapter. “If you are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give, please schedule an appointment to give now. You never know when you or a loved one will be the one in need. I urge anyone who is able to donate to take an hour out of their day and give back.”

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 nearly 13,000 blood and more than 2,600 platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.

It’s critically important the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply for patients this summer. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Health insights for donors 

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.    

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.  

Blood drive safety 

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.