PEORIA, Ill. (May 20, 2013) ? The American Red Cross is launching the Summer of Stories campaign to share the personal impact blood and platelet donors can have on a patient in need and to help ensure a sufficient blood supply is available in the months ahead.
Summer is a time for the days that never end. Time for diving in and grilling out. Time to watch the fireworks, to have a picnic, to root for the home team. While many have fun making these memories, hospital patients are counting on eligible donors to make time to give blood or platelets so they can continue making and sharing their own summer memories and stories.
"Stories are the glue that bind many of us together," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Services Region. "Whether you've needed blood, have given blood or simply want to share a fun summer memory, we want to hear from you."
The Red Cross asks all eligible blood and platelet donors to join its Summer of Stories campaign, which kicks off May 23 and runs through Sept. 9. Through Summer of Stories, the organization hopes to encourage at least two more donors to give blood at every Red Cross blood drive this summer ? above what's expected ? to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available at a moment's notice.
Historically, during the summer months of June, July and August, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need. But, this seasonal challenge can be overcome two generous donors at a time, at every blood drive, every day. Individuals can visit redcrossblood.org/summer to make an appointment to donate and share their donation story.
To kick off Summer of Stories and encourage donations before and after the Memorial Day holiday, all presenting blood donors between May 23 and 31 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards to help create their own summer of stories.
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:
Clinton County
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
June 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central High School, 519 E. 11th St. in De Witt, 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.
June 6 from 2-6 p.m. at American Legion, 509 N. School St. in Atkinson, Ill.
June 12 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
June 12 from 2-6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 Ninth St. in Orion, 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.
June 11 from 2-6 p.m. at New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Fourth and Walnut in New Windsor, Ill.
Rock Island County
June 5 from 1-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.
Whiteside County
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.
June 4 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
June 5 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
June 6 from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.
June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD 3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.
June 11 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
June 12 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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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Summer is a time for the days that never end. Time for diving in and grilling out. Time to watch the fireworks, to have a picnic, to root for the home team. While many have fun making these memories, hospital patients are counting on eligible donors to make time to give blood or platelets so they can continue making and sharing their own summer memories and stories.
"Stories are the glue that bind many of us together," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Services Region. "Whether you've needed blood, have given blood or simply want to share a fun summer memory, we want to hear from you."
The Red Cross asks all eligible blood and platelet donors to join its Summer of Stories campaign, which kicks off May 23 and runs through Sept. 9. Through Summer of Stories, the organization hopes to encourage at least two more donors to give blood at every Red Cross blood drive this summer ? above what's expected ? to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available at a moment's notice.
Historically, during the summer months of June, July and August, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need. But, this seasonal challenge can be overcome two generous donors at a time, at every blood drive, every day. Individuals can visit redcrossblood.org/summer to make an appointment to donate and share their donation story.
To kick off Summer of Stories and encourage donations before and after the Memorial Day holiday, all presenting blood donors between May 23 and 31 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards to help create their own summer of stories.
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:
Clinton County
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
June 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central High School, 519 E. 11th St. in De Witt, 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.
June 6 from 2-6 p.m. at American Legion, 509 N. School St. in Atkinson, Ill.
June 12 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
June 12 from 2-6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 Ninth St. in Orion, 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.
June 11 from 2-6 p.m. at New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Fourth and Walnut in New Windsor, Ill.
Rock Island County
June 5 from 1-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.
Whiteside County
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.
June 4 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
June 5 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
June 6 from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.
June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD 3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.
June 11 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
June 12 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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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