Give blood with the American Red Cross and help maintain the summer blood supply
PEORIA, Ill. (June 2, 2014) – The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to make and keep donation appointments to maintain the summer blood supply and help prevent a shortage. Donors of all blood types are currently needed, especially those with type O negative, B negative and A negative.
While the need for blood remains constant during the summer, donations drop. Between June and August, on average, two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what hospitals need. This seasonal decline could be overcome if just two additional donors - above what is expected - give blood at each Red Cross blood drive this summer.
Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Recently, a patient needed 79 blood products after injuries sustained during a car accident. Thanks to blood donors who gave in the days and weeks prior, blood products were readily available for this patient and thousands of others at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country supported by the Red Cross.
This summer, there are 100 chances to give hope with the Red Cross by giving blood. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more and make an appointment.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Carroll County
June 19 from 1-6 p.m. at Milledgeville Men's Club, 204 S. Main Ave. in Milledgeville, Ill.
June 20 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 405 E. Locust in Lanark, Ill.
June 27 from 12-5 p.m. at Mt. Carroll Community Building, 101 N. Main in Mount Carroll, Ill.
Clinton County
June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LyondellBasell, 3400 Anamosa Road in Clinton, Iowa
June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skyline Center, 2600 N. 4th St. in Clinton, Iowa
June 22 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 147 Broadway St. in Charlotte, Iowa
Henry County
June 17 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kewanee OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.
June 18 from 2-6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 9th St. in Orion, Ill.
Lee County
June 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 403 E. First St. in Dixon, Ill.
June 30 from 3-6:30 p.m. at Amboy Community Building, 280 W. Wasson Road in Amboy, Ill.
Mercer County
June 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Whiteside County
June 18 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
June 21 from 5:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.
June 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St. in Fulton, Ill.
June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
June 26 from 4-7 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
June 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rock Falls Rehabilitation and Healthcare, 430 Martin Road 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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