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Give Blood And Help Save Lives This Spring

Last updated on Thursday, April 6, 2017

(UNDATED) - Eligible individuals of all blood types are encouraged to give blood through the American Red Cross this spring to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients.

Donated blood is perishable and must constantly be replenished to keep up with hospital patient need. Red blood cells are the blood component most frequently transfused by hospitals and must be used within 42 days of donation.

Eligible donors can give red blood cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a Power Red donation, where available. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

While donors of all blood types are encouraged to give blood, type O, A negative and B negative donors are urged to give Power Reds if they meet the additional eligibility criteria. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Similarly, type O positive can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients. Power Red donations help ensure a stable supply of these critical blood types.

Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, up to six times a year, and Power Red donations may be made every 112 days, up to three times per year.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Delaware County

Muncie

4/13/2017: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1400 W Riverside Ave

Madison County

Anderson

4/11/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Anderson University, 1526 University Blvd.
4/14/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Hoosier Park, 4500 Dan Patch Circle

Elwood

4/18/2017: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Vincent Mercy Hospital, 1331 South A Street

Lapel

4/17/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lapel Elementary School, 2865 South State Road 13

Marion County

Indianapolis

4/6/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Marian University, 3200 Cold Spring Road
4/12/2017: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., IUPUI University Tower, 911 West North Street
4/20/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Vincent Hospital, 2000 West 86th Street
4/25/2017: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Taylor Courtyard, 801 West Michigan Street

Speedway

4/21/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 West 16th Street

Randolph County

Union City

4/26/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Side Elementary School, 905 North Plum Street

Bartholomew County

Columbus

4/7/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane
4/14/2017: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street
4/14/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane
4/21/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane
4/26/2017: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 531 Fifth Street

Clay County

Brazil

4/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Clay County YMCA, 225 E Kruzan Street

Jennings County

North Vernon

4/18/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sand Creek Elementary School, 1450 W CR 500 North
4/27/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar

Johnson County

Franklin

4/15/2017: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Walmart, 2125 North Morton

Lawrence County

Bedford

4/10/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hillcrest Christian Church, 1130 Hillcrest Road
4/29/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Walmart, 3200 John Williams Blvd.

Martin County

Loogootee

4/20/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., VFW Post 9395, 300 West Vine

Shoals

4/11/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Shoals Junior-Senior High School, 7900 U.S. Hwy 50

Monroe County

Bloomington

4/6/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/8/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/8/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., City of Bloomington, 401 N. Morton, Suite 210
4/11/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., School of Education, 201 N. Rose Avenue
4/12/2017: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Indiana University Memorial Union Building, 900 East 7th Street, Indiana Memorial Union Building
4/12/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/15/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/17/2017: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Indiana University Wright Residence Center, 501 N. Jordan Avenue
4/19/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indiana University Ballantine Hall, 500 University Rd.
4/19/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/22/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/25/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. 7th Street
4/26/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indiana University Ballantine Hall, 500 University Rd.
4/27/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Indiana University Health Bloomington, 601 West Second Street
4/27/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
4/29/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.

Ellettsville

4/24/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Edgewood High School, 601 South Edgewood

Vigo County

Terre Haute

4/21/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vigo County YMCA, 951 Dresser Drive

How to help

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 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 visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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