WHEC News10NBC hosts annual blood drive: Presenting donors will receive $10 VISA gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane

National Blood Crisis

The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. The dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Your donation is desperately needed.

Learn more about the blood crisis

Give Blood

The American Red Cross and WHEC News10NBC invite Rochester area residents to roll up their sleeves and give blood at the annual News10NBC blood drive. This year, the blood drive will be held on Wednesday, June 14, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 1111 Jefferson Road.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day. This annual global event serves to raise awareness of the need for blood and blood products and thank blood donors around the world for their life-saving gift of blood.

While the need for blood is constant during the summer months, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors. Nationwide and in New York, about one-third fewer new donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year. The Red Cross is urging eligible blood donors to help patients with serious illnesses this June and through the summer by rolling up their sleeves and giving blood. Blood and platelets are needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. One blood donation can help save up to three lives.

Suburban Propane is a proud national sponsor of the American Red Cross Blood Services and is helping to increase awareness of the constant need for blood and platelet donations. All those who come to donate at the News10NBC blood drive will receive a $10 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last. Suburban Propane and the Red Cross have worked together to raise awareness about blood donation since 2012, and this is the third summer that Suburban Propane and the Red Cross have partnered to educate the public about the need for blood and platelets.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767. Use sponsor code NEWS10NBCROCHESTER.

Eligible donors can give red blood cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation, where available. During a double red cell donation, two units of red blood cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor. Double red cell donors must meet additional eligibility criteria, which will be determined at the donation appointment.

Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O, A negative and B negative. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, up to six times a year, and double red cells may be donated every 112 days, up to three times per year.

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.

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