October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
(Sept. 30, 2015) ? During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.
Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.
"I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage," she said. "I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood."
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Carroll County
Mount Carroll
10/22/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Good Samaritan Nursing Home, PO Box 8, 1006 N. Lowden
Clinton County
Clinton
10/29/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., LyondellBasell Clinton, 3400 Anamosa Rd.
Henry County
Kewanee
10/22/2015: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kewanee OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St.
Lee County
Dixon
10/20/2015: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 403 E. First St.
Mercer County
Aledo
10/20/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave.
Whiteside County
Fulton
10/27/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St.
Morrison
10/27/2015: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland
Rock Falls
10/21/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St.
10/28/2015: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St.
Sterling
10/17/2015: 6 a.m. - 12 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Rd.
10/28/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sterling High School, 1608 4th Ave.
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 (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.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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