PEORIA, Ill. (March 3, 2014) – During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross invites everyone to make a difference in their communities by giving blood, volunteering, taking a class or making a financial donation. Those supporters enable the Red Cross to continue to help people in need like the Roux family.
Jenny Roux's son, Blake, was born with a rare and serious chromosome disorder that causes multiple abnormalities. Jenny and Blake both received two pints of blood the day he was born. For Blake, that marked the first of many transfusions. Jenny said she knew her time with him would be short, but she credits multiple blood transfusions with helping extend his life.
"Without the blood transfusions, I don't know that he would have even had the 10 months we had with him," she said.
At that point Jenny again turned to the Red Cross, and the organization's Service to the Armed Forces program provided emergency communications about Blake's death to her husband, who was deployed to Iraq.
Thanks to everyday heroes, the Red Cross was there for the Roux family in their time of need.
The Red Cross invites the public to discover their inner hero this month. To make an appointment to donate blood or for more information about other ways to get involved with the Red Cross, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Clinton County
March 23 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 147 Broadway St. in Charlotte, Iowa
March 26 from 3:30-7 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1519 S. Washington Blvd. in Camanche, Iowa
Henry County
March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kewanee High School, 1211 E. Third St. in Kewanee, Ill.
March 25 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 N. W. Second Ave in Galva, Ill.
March 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodhull Alwood High School Student Council, 301 E. Fifth Ave. in Woodhull, Ill.
Mercer County
March 18 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mercer County High School, 1500 College Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aledo Genesis Medical Center, 409 North West Ninth Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Whiteside County
March 19 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
March 19 from 3-7 p.m. at Abiding Word Church, 806 E. Lynn Blvd. in Sterling, Ill.
March 20 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.
March 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
March 29 from 5:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.
March 29 from 7-10:30 a.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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