6-11-24     Tuesday News     10 P.M.  E-2

As World Blood Donor Day approaches on June 14, the American Red Cross stresses that blood and platelet donors are critically needed right now to combat a drastic shortfall in donations over the last several weeks. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.

Record-breaking summer travel and severe weather condition are expected to persist all season long, which may preven donors from being able to give. When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients. Make a blood or platelet donation a priority this summer. Book a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse, and stable blood supply, and to recognize volunteer blood donors. This is the perfect time to give, especially for those who haven’t given in a while, or who have never given before.

Those who come to give blood June 10-30, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 10-30 in Marshall County are June 11th at St. Isidore Hall at 803 Bike Street in Bremen from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  On June 19th you can give blood to the American Red Cross at the Culver-Union Township Public Library, 107 North Main Street from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  There are two bloodmobiles in Plymouth this month, on June 13th at the Knights of Columbus, 901 East Jefferson Street from 11:30 to 5:30 and on June 27th at the Plymouth Fire Department, 111 North Center Street from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Woodlawn Hospital at 1400 E. Ninth Street in Rochester will have a Red Cross blood drive on June 14th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in Saint Joseph County you can give blood on June 26th from 1 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 400 in Walkerton.  The Knox Community Center at 55 East Lake Street will host the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on June 18th from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. CST.

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.