Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
TONICA, Ill. (March 1, 2019) — The community is invited to give blood to celebrate life with Evan Knoblauch at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Monday, March 18, 2 to 6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 423 Wauponis St., in Tonica.
Evan enjoys supporting his community and is a volunteer firefighter. In March 2017, just before his 18th birthday, Evan experienced a pain which was thought to be a pulled muscle. After further testing, he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or in the tissue around bones. In Evan’s situation the tumor progressed to his lung. After undergoing cancer treatments and receiving blood products, Evan thought he won his battle against cancer, but recently learned it reoccurred.
Evan is still undergoing cancer treatments. He has a positive attitude and he will continue to fight for his life. Evan and his family recall how volunteer blood donors gave their blood knowing that it would be needed by someone. Now he wants to give back and thank the many people who donate their blood and continue to help save his life.
Evan's family and the Illini State Bank are celebrating his life by hosting a blood drive. “We are hoping for a very good turnout and the blood we obtain is obviously very good for the community and those in need of blood," said Kim Knoblauch, Evan’s aunt. "Many times a transfusion of blood can be a matter of life or death."
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Tammy Hibser, 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 Evan’s name is a wonderful way to celebrate his life and potentially help others.”
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 2,500 hospitals nationwide.
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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
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.