PEORIA, Ill. (May 15, 2013) ? No matter the season, the need for blood is constant. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a transfusion, and around 44,000 pints of blood must be donated every day to meet patient needs.
To emphasize the importance of giving blood year-round, and timed with World Blood Donor Day on June 14, the American Red Cross encourages those eligible to become regular donors, especially during the summer.
Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood donations to meet patient needs. If at least two more donors give blood at every Red Cross blood drive this summer ? above what's expected ? it will help ensure blood is available for patients at a moment's notice.
A stable blood supply is vital for treating trauma victims, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease patients and many others.
To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Clinton County
June 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central High School, 519 E. 11th St. in De Witt, Iowa
Henry County
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
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
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.
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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