Advocate for the relief of human suffering
PEORIA, Ill. (April 15, 2014) – World Red Cross Day is a time to recognize worldwide efforts to advocate for the relief of human suffering, whether from disease, disaster, war or famine.
The American Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to support these humanitarian efforts by making an appointment to donate lifesaving blood this May. The need is constant, and all blood types are needed, especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative.
Each year, World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8, the birthday of Henry Dunant, who officially founded the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement nearly 100 years ago.
For more than 130 years, the Red Cross has been dedicated to helping people in communities large and small across the U.S. It is the only humanitarian services organization that provides blood services, serves as the emergency communication link between military personnel and their families, offers health and safety training and responds to disasters of all types and sizes.
Join the Red Cross family this month and make an appointment to give blood in honor of World Red Cross Day by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Henry County
May 1 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church S Campus Bldg., 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.
May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cambridge American Legion Post 417, 111 N. Prospect St. in Cambridge, Ill.
May 8 from 2-6 p.m. at St John's Vianney Church, 313 S. West St. in Cambridge, Ill.
May 14 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kewanee Royal Oaks Care Center, 605 E. Church St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Lee County
May 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amboy High School, 11 E. Hawley St. in Amboy, Ill.
May 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Ashton-Franklin Center High School, 611 Western in Ashton, Ill.
May 12 from 12-6 p.m. at Dixon Fire Department, 210 S. Hennepin in Dixon, Ill.
Mercer County
May 12 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sherrard High School, 4701 176th in Sherrard, Ill.
May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aledo Genesis Medical Center, 409 North West 9th Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Whiteside County
May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Army National Guard, 716 Sixth Ave in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Erie High School, 435 6th Ave. in Erie, Ill.
May 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fulton High School, 1207 12th St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 7 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prophetstown High School, 310 Riverside in Prophetstown, Ill.
May 8 from 2-7 p.m. at Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave. in Tampico, Ill.
May 12 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Montmorency School, 9415 Hoover Road in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 13 from 1-6 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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