Red Cross Urgently Needs Blood Donations Before Summer Ends

Last updated on Wednesday, August 8, 2018

(BEDFORD) - As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure live -saving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.

In thanks for helping at this urgent time, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood
Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to give again. Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31:

Bartholomew County

Columbus

8/23/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, 4601 Central Ave.

Brown County

Nashville

8/22/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 East State Road 46

Lawrence County

Bedford

8/20/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1515 20th Street
8/23/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Indiana University Health Bedford, 2900 W. 16th Street
8/25/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1010 22nd Street
8/26/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 3200 John Williams Blvd.

Martin County

Loogootee

8/16/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Loogootee United Methodist Church, 208 W. Main Street

Monroe County

Bloomington

8/16/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/17/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/18/2018: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/18/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., City of Bloomington, 401 N. Morton, Suite 210
8/22/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/23/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/24/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/27/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., School of Education, 201 N. Rose Avenue
8/28/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Indiana University Health Bloomington, 601 West Second Street
8/28/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Indiana University Wright Residence Center, 501 N. Jordan Avenue
8/29/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/30/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
8/31/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.

Owen County

Gosport

8/27/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Gosport Elementary School, 201 9th Street

Spencer

8/24/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Owen County Family YMCA, 1111 W. State Highway 46

Vigo County

Terre Haute

8/21/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Union Hospital, 1606 North 7th Street
8/30/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hulman Memorial Student Union-Indiana State University

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 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.

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 rdcrss.org/driver.

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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