UW-Madison Kick Off Red Cross Blood Drive - 2018

Start the semester off right and help save lives Sept.4-6 at the Gordon Dining and Event Center

MADISON, Wis. (Aug. 13, 2018) - The University of Wisconsin-Madison began its efforts to help save lives by hosting American Red Cross blood drives in the 1970’s. Since that first drive was held, thousands of lives have been impacted. The community is invited to join the UW Red Cross Club in this long-standing tradition to help local patients by donating blood at the UW Madison Kick Off Red Cross Blood Drive Sept. 4-5, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sept. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gordon Dining and Event Center.

“Blood and platelet donors can feel confident that by donating blood through the Red Cross they are helping to ensure that blood products are available for patients in more than 31 hospitals throughout the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Region,” said Roxanne Berra, donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross.   

In Dane County, the Red Cross provides blood products to The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (including American Family Children’s Hospital), SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison, UnityPoint Health - Meriter and Stoughton Hospital. While local hospital needs are met first, the Red Cross — because it functions as a national blood system -- has a unique ability to help ensure all hospital patients throughout the U.S. have the blood they need, when and where they need it.

Everyone who attempts to help save lives at the UW-Madison Kick Off Red Cross Blood Drive will receive a free giveaway item, while supplies last. Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.  

How to donate blood

Simply  download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use the sponsor code “Badgers” or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or to obtain 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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,  CruzRojaAmericana.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.