PEORIA, Ill. (May 1, 2013) ? With summer right around the corner, many people are now planning their summer activities and vacations. After all, summer is a time to create lifelong memories. When eligible donors give blood with the American Red Cross, they can also give others time to make their own memories ? watching fireworks, having a picnic, sleeping under the stars, taking a dip or rooting for the home team.
Blood donations often decline during the summer, when schools are out and vacations are in. The Red Cross encourages donors to make an appointment to give now to help ensure a stable supply in the weeks and months ahead, giving patients a chance to create a summer of stories.
Donors who present to give blood between May 23 and 31 in honor of Memorial Day could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards to create their own summer of stories. In addition, their donations will honor those who gave their life for our country and support those in need of care. The Red Cross serves about 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, including many Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Learn more and make an appointment to donate blood by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Clinton County
May 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Law Enforcement Center, 241 Seventh Ave. North in Clinton, Iowa
May 24 from 12-6 p.m. at Wild Rose Casino & Resort, 777 Wild Rose Drive in Clinton, Iowa
May 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Clinton Church of Christ, 210 N. 13th St. in Clinton, Iowa
Henry County
May 22 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
May 28 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 NW Second Ave. in Galva, Ill.
Mercer County
May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mercer County Hospital, 409 NW Ninth Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Whiteside County
May 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sterling High School, 1608 Fourth Ave. in Sterling, Ill.
May 21 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 21 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.
May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 25 from 7-11 a.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 28 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 29 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 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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