PEORIA,Ill. (April 15, 2013) – May 8 is World Red Cross Day, and the American Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to celebrate by donating lifesaving blood in their communities. The need is constant, and all blood types are needed, especially O negative, B negative and A negative.
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 at redcrossblood.org.
World Red Cross Day
World Red Cross Day is celebrated every year on May 8, the birthday of Henry Dunant, who officially founded the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement nearly 100 years ago. The holiday recognizes worldwide efforts to advocate for the relief of human suffering, whether from disease, disaster, war or famine.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Carroll County
May 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at West Carroll High School, 500 Cragmoor Drive in Savanna, Ill.
Clinton County
May 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ashford University Calling Center, 1310 19th Ave. North in Clinton, Iowa
Henry County
May 2 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.
May 8 from 1:15-5:15 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
May 9 from 2-6 p.m. at St. John's Vianney Church, 313 S. West St. in Cambridge, Ill.
Mercer County
May 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sherrard High School, 4701 176th in Sherrard, Ill.
Whiteside County
May 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fulton High School, 1207 12th St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 1 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Army National Guard, 716 Sixth Ave. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prophetstown High School, 310 Riverside in Prophetstown, Ill.
May 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Erie High School, 435 Sixth Ave. in Erie, Ill.
May 7 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 9 from 3-8 p.m. at Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave. in Tampico, Ill.
May 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Montmorency School, 9415 Hoover Road in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 14 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 15 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join
our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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