Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, December 18, 2018
(UNDATED) - Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelets donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.
In November 2016, a 100-foot maple tree fell on Mike McMahon, causing life-threatening injuries. He needed 11 units of blood during emergency surgery and another seven units to treat complications after. Six weeks following the accident, McMahon was released from the hospital - just in time to spend the holidays with his family.
"I'm grateful for the donors who gave me such an amazing gift - the gift of life," said McMahon.
"I was an occasional blood donor before the accident. Today, I donate as often as I can to help ensure others receive blood when they need it most."
Now is an important time to give blood and platelets. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel.
In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can't afford for there to be a shortage of blood.
Give the gift of life - make an appointment to donate blood and platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a special thank-you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give Dec. 20 through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 20-Jan. 15:
Alexandrian Public Library, 115 W. 5th St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620
1/4/2019: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Berea Mennonite Church, 216 South Main St. Cannelburg, IN 47519
12/27/2018: 4 - 8 p.m.
Birdseye Fire Department, 9 West 1st St. Birdseye, IN 47513
12/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Boonville Library, 611 W Main St. Boonville, IN 47601
1/15/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cathedral Health Care Center, 520 West 9th St. Jasper, IN 47546
1/14/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.
Clay Elementary, 210 College St. Clay, KY 42404
12/20/2018: noon - 6 p.m.
Daviess Community Hospital, 1314 E. Walnut Washington, IN 47501
12/21/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Dixie United Methodist Church, 7033 Wheeler Road Corydon, KY 42406
1/5/2019: 8 a.m. - noon.
Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714
12/21/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
12/22/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
12/24/2018: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
12/25/2018: 8 a.m. - noon
12/26/2018: noon - 7:15 p.m.
12/28/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
12/29/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
12/31/2018: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
1/1/2019: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
1/2/2019: noon - 7:15 p.m.
1/4/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/5/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/7/2019: noon - 7:15 p.m.
1/8/2019: noon - 7:30 p.m.
1/9/2019: noon - 7:15 p.m.
1/11/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/12/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/14/2019: noon - 7:15 p.m.
1/15/2019: noon - 7:30 p.m.
Faith Free Will Baptist Church, 303 N. 5th St. Chandler, IN 47610
1/3/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.
German American Bank Tell City, 645 Main St. Tell City, IN 47586
12/26/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Gibson General Hospital, 1808 Sherman Drive Princeton, IN 47670
1/4/2019: noon - 4 p.m.
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1303 South Green River Rd. Evansville, IN 47715
1/13/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Huntingburg Methodist Church, 416 North Main St. Huntingburg, IN 47542
12/21/2018: 2 - 6 p.m.
Knights of Columbus, 313 West Broadway Princeton, IN 47670
1/7/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.
Methodist Hospital of Union County, 4604 US Highway 60 West Morganfield, KY 42437
12/28/2018: noon - 4 p.m.
Nancy Hanks Elementary, 19260 North State Road 162 Ferdinand, IN 47532
1/9/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.
New Hope Christian Church, 559 E. 100 S. Washington, IN 47501
1/8/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.
Owensville United Methodist Church, 103 S. 3rd St. Owensville, IN 47665
12/26/2018: 3 - 7 p.m.
Premier Health Care of New Harmony, 251 Hwy. 66 New Harmony, IN 47631
12/24/2018: 9 a.m. - noon
Providence Mennonite Church, 47538 US 50 Montgomery, IN 47558
1/8/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.
Regency Properties, 380 N. Cross Pointe Blvd. Evansville, IN 47715
1/2/2019: 1 - 5 p.m.
Simon J. Graber Complex, 9335 N. 900 E. Odon, IN 47562
12/24/2018: 8 a.m. - noon
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5301 Daylight Drive Evansville, IN 47725
12/30/2018: 8 a.m. - noon
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6130 West St Joseph Road Evansville, IN 47720
1/6/2019: 8 a.m. - noon
St. Paul Catholic Church, 824 Jefferson St. Tell City, IN 47586
1/11/2019: 1 - 5 p.m.
St. Vincent, 3700 Washington Ave. Evansville, IN 47750
12/31/2018: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
1/11/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Waters of Princeton, 1020 W. Vine St. Princeton, IN 47670
1/2/2019: noon - 5 p.m.
VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger St. Huntingburg, IN 47542
1/15/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.
Walmart - West, 335 South Red Bank Road Evansville, IN 47712
12/27/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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.
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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