(May 21, 2018) — The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and help ensure patient needs can be met this summer.

Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break – patients need blood every minute, every day.

In the summer of 1973, Ramona Johnson was playing at the park when she was injured jumping off the swings. She was bleeding profusely from a 7-inch gash in her leg. By the time she reached the hospital, she needed an emergency transfusion. She credits the donors who took the time to give blood with helping to save her life.

Johnson’s childhood experience receiving blood compelled her to make her first blood donation more than 10 years ago. “A little voice told me that this would be a great way to give back,” she said. “I have been faithfully donating every eight weeks since.”

The public is asked to schedule an appointment to help ensure that hospitals and patients have the blood they need this summer. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Additionally, those who come to give May 25-29, will receive an exclusive Red Cross branded T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 21 to June 15

IL

Lanark

6/15/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 405 E. Locust

Milledgeville

6/21/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Milledgeville Men's Club, 204 Main Ave

Mount Carroll

6/8/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Good Samaritan Society - Mt. Carroll, PO Box 8, 1006 N. Lowden

Cambridge

5/24/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St John's Vianney Church, 313 S West Street

Colona

5/31/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., St Patrick's Church, 201 First Street

Galva

5/29/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 214 N. W. Second Ave

Hooppole

6/18/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hooppole Community Center, 1404 Washington St.

Kewanee

6/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St.

6/14/2018: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Kewanee OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St.

6/14/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kewanee OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St.

Orion

6/6/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 9th Street

Lee

Dixon

5/29/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Dixon Advance America, 1311 North Galena Avvenue

6/5/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sauk Valley Community College Student Government, 173 IL Route 2

6/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ken Nelson Auto Group, 1050 N. Galena Avenue

6/19/2018: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 403 E. First Street

6/19/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 403 E. First Street

6/20/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Dixon Home of Hope, 1637 Plock Road

Franklin Grove

6/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Atlasta Park Building, South State Street

Paw Paw

6/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Paw Paw Elementary School, 511 Chapman

Sublette

6/5/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 202 South Locust Street

Mercer

Aledo

6/19/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave

Rock Island

Moline

6/6/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Element Moline, 316 12th St

Whiteside

Fulton

5/22/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th Street

6/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th Street

Morrison

6/1/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Morrison Resthave, 408 Maple Avenue

Prophetstown

6/11/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St.

Rock Falls

6/6/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W. 10th Street

6/20/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W. 10th Street

Sterling

5/22/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sterling Heritage Woods, 2205 Oak Grove Ave

5/30/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Sterling YMCA, 2505 YMCA

5/30/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sterling YMCA, 2505 YMCA

6/7/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road

6/7/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road

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 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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