Red Cross rewards blood donors as summer winds down
PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 26, 2013) ? With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.
Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.
"The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation."
While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.
"Patients in local hospitals often can't take a break to enjoy the holiday," Heiden said. "But blood and platelet donors can give these patients a chance to enjoy this time with family and friends - simply by rolling up a sleeve."
Live a story. Give a story. Donate blood or platelets. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer for more information and to make an appointment to help save lives.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Henry County
Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Sept. 5 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.
Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walgreens, 500 S. Main St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Sept. 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Alpha United Methodist Church, 211 N. Scandia in Alpha, Ill.
Mercer County
Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.
Rock Island County
Sept. 4 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.
Scott County
Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 4064 E. 53rd St. in Davenport, Iowa
Whiteside County
Aug. 27 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Focus Services, 1100 First Ave. 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-forprofit 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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PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 26, 2013) ? With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.
Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.
"The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation."
While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.
"Patients in local hospitals often can't take a break to enjoy the holiday," Heiden said. "But blood and platelet donors can give these patients a chance to enjoy this time with family and friends - simply by rolling up a sleeve."
Live a story. Give a story. Donate blood or platelets. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer for more information and to make an appointment to help save lives.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Henry County
Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Sept. 5 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.
Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walgreens, 500 S. Main St. in Kewanee, Ill.
Sept. 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Alpha United Methodist Church, 211 N. Scandia in Alpha, Ill.
Mercer County
Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.
Rock Island County
Sept. 4 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.
Scott County
Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 4064 E. 53rd St. in Davenport, Iowa
Whiteside County
Aug. 27 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Focus Services, 1100 First Ave. 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-forprofit 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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