(UNDATED) – The American Red Cross urges people of all races and
ethnicities to give blood or platelets to help increase the diversity of the blood supply.
The vast majority of blood types fall into one of the major blood groups. However, for patients with rare blood types or those who receive regular blood transfusions, blood must be matched closely – beyond the primary A, B, O, and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of developing complications from transfusion therapy. The best match maybe someone of the same racial or ethnic group.
Eight-year-old AJ Torres requires blood transfusions to treat complications from sickle cell disease, the most common genetic disease in the U.S. The disease is most common among people of African descent or Latino descent, like AJ, and can sometimes cause small blood vessels to become blocked. Diverse donors are important to ensuring AJ has the blood products he needs to regain his health.
“Within minutes of receiving a blood transfusion, I watch his strength be restored, pain vanish and energy return. Soon he transforms back to himself – a rambunctious little boy,” said his mom, Caira Torres. “If an 8-year-old can withstand a needle, so can you.”
Donors of all blood types, as well as all races and ethnicities, are needed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 23-Oct. 15:
Lawrence County
Bedford
- 10/4/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Walmart, 3200 John Williams Blvd.
- 10/14/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Hillcrest Christian Church, 1130 Hillcrest Road
- Mitchell
- 9/26/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mitchell Church of Christ, 1004 Main Street
Martin County
Loogootee
- 10/3/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Loogootee High School, 201 Brooks Avenue
- Shoals
- 10/2/2019: 2:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Shoals Junior-Senior High School, 7900 U.S. Hwy 50
Monroe County
Bloomington
- 9/24/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Indiana University Wells Library, 1320 E. 10th Street
- 9/25/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 9/28/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 10/2/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 10/5/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 10/8/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana University – Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. 7th Street
- 10/9/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 10/10/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monroe County Public Library, 303 East Kirkwood Ave
- 10/12/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 10/15/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road
Delaware County
Muncie
- 9/26/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana Bridge, Inc., 1810 S. Macedonia Ave.
- 9/26/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, 2401 W University Ave
- 9/30/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pruis Hall, McKinley Avenue
Hamilton County
Fishers
- 9/23/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Four Day Ray, 11671 Lantern Road
Hendricks County
Avon‘
- 9/27/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., IU Health West Hospital, 1111 Ronald Reagan Pkwy
Madison County
Pendleton
- 9/23/2019: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church Pendleton, 225 West State Street
Marion County
Indianapolis
- 9/24/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., IU Health Methodist Hospital, 1701 Senate Blvd.
- 9/24/2019: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Drive
- 9/25/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thomas Carr Howe High School, 4900 Julian Ave
- 10/3/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., KAR Auction Services, 7835 Woodland Drive
- 10/5/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street
Randolph County
Winchester
- 9/28/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Randolph County YMCA, 1521 E Washington St.
Wayne County
Richmond
- 9/29/2019: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., First English Lutheran Church, 2727 E Main St.
- 10/7/2019: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Hopebridge Center, 3771 S A Street
Bartholomew County
Columbus
- 9/27/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street
- 10/12/2019: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 1306 27th Street
Jennings County
North Vernon
- 9/25/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Walmart, 2380 N State Highway 3
- 10/14/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rolling Hills Shrine, 3815 N State Highway 17
Johnson County
Greenwood
- 10/15/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnson County Library White River Branch, 1664 Library Blvd.
Owen County
Gosport
- 10/1/2019: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Gosport Elementary School, 201 9th Street
Shelby County
Shelbyville
- 10/9/2019: 5:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Pilkington North America, 300 Northridge Dr.
Vermillion County
Clinton
- 9/27/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Union Hospital, 801 South Main
How to donate blood
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.
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% 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.
