The American Red Cross invites the community to help save lives at blood drives planned during National Blood Donation Week declared by Indiana Governor Mike Pence from Sept. 4-10. The special week is in association with an initiative started by media personality, Dr. Daliah Wachs, to enlist all 50 states in promoting blood donation.
Dr. Daliah, who hosts a syndicated radio program on iHeart Radio, speaks to her listeners weekly about various medical topics and understands why it’s important to have a strong blood supply. After hearing about the emergency need for more donors earlier this summer, she decided to establish a National Blood Donation Week and ask each state governor to join her by declaring the service week in their home state.
With Gov. Pence’s signed proclamation, Sept. 4-10 is officially National Blood Donation Week in the state of Indiana, with Sat. Sept. 10 being Blood Donation Day. This week leading up to Sept. 11 is a period that many observe as a time to give back through community service.
“Giving blood is a wonderful way to serve your community, honor the memory of others and help patients at the same time,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the Red Cross Blood Services. “With the Red Cross still recovering from an emergency need for donations during much of the summer, now is the perfect time to give.”
You can pledge your Red Cross blood donation through Dr. Daliah’s online SleevesUp campaign, which will track how many give blood through the Red Cross across the U.S. Individuals can donate at any Red Cross blood drive during the week and log their donation through the SleevesUp campaign online here: https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/national-blood-donation-day/.
Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood. Blood donors and groups willing to host blood drives are needed year-round and can contact the Red Cross for more information.
To learn more about blood donation, including information about eligibility to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you were deferred from donating in the past, you may be able to donate again.
Upcoming Red Cross blood drives from Sept. 4-11, 2016:
Marshall County
Argos
9/6/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Argos Elementary School, 600 Yearick Ave.
Bourbon
9/7/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Triton High School, 300 Triton Dr.
Culver
9/8/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Culver-Union Township Public Library, 107 N. Main Street
Plymouth
9/6/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., LifePlex, 2855 Miller Drive
9/10/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indiana National Guard, 1220 W Madison Street
How to donate blood
To schedule an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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 visitredcross.orgorcruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at@RedCross.
