American Red Cross seeks donors to help meet holiday need
You can honor a uniquely American holiday by giving something that’s uniquely you.
By donating blood this Thanksgiving, you’ll help ensure that blood is available for patients in need, and honor the spirit of giving that surrounds the start of the holiday season.
“When you donate blood this time of year, you can take pride in knowing someone is extremely thankful for your act of giving,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the American Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. “Because of you, someone’s mother, father, child or friend may have a chance to spend another holiday with people they love.”
Every day, patients across the U.S. need more than 44,000 units of blood to treat emergency and ongoing medical conditions. Patients depend on blood for cancer treatments, scheduled surgeries, emergency or accident care, as well as ongoing needs related to serious diseases like sickle cell.
While all blood types are needed, the demand for type O blood is great since type O can be transfused to patients with other blood types like A, B and AB. While type O positive can be transfused to patients with any positive blood type, type O negative can be transfused to anyone with any blood type, making it the type most needed in emergencies when a patient’s blood type isn’t known.
“At the American Red Cross, we’re thankful for every person who helps give someone a second chance at life by donating blood,” said Whitman. “While blood is needed year-round, it holds special meaning during the holidays since you’re giving something back to the community that truly comes from within.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Monday, Nov. 4, from noon until 6 p.m. at Calvary Church in The Well, located at 1325 E. Evans in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Nov. 11, from a p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila in the Catholic Student Center, located at 1604 Lincolnway in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Nov. 11, from noon until 6 p.m. at Valparaiso University in Harre Union Ballrooms B & C, located at 1509 Chapel Drive in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a coupon for one free taco courtesy of Taco Bell.
- Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 202 W. Church St. in Hebron.
- Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at John Simatovich Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 424 West 500 North in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Heritage Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 308 Washington St. in Valparaiso.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.