Donate Blood During National Preparedness Month

Last updated on Thursday, August 24, 2017

(UNDATED) - The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood during National Preparedness Month to help ensure a readily available supply for emergencies.

Blood and platelet donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage.

A readily available blood supply is needed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help trauma patients and others with serious medical needs. In fact, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it's the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.

Donations decline around summer holidays like Labor Day. To thank those who come out to give Sept. 1-6, the Red Cross is providing a branded T-shirt, while supplies last.

Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-15:

Bartholomew County

Columbus

9/1/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane
9/8/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane
9/8/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Peter's Lutheran School, 719 Fifth Street
9/13/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College, 4475 Central Ave.
9/15/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., La QUINTA, 101 Carrie Lane

Greene County

Linton

9/2/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Linton Public Library, 95 SE 1st St

Lawrence County

Mitchell

9/5/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mitchell Manor Nursing Home, 24 Teke Burton Drive

Monroe County

Bloomington

9/2/2017: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
9/6/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
9/7/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indiana University Ballantine Hall, 500 University Rd.
9/7/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
9/13/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
9/14/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way
9/14/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
9/15/2017: 8:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Hoosier Hills Career Center, 3070 Prow Road

How to donate blood

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.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit

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.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

Click here to go back to previous page