(UNDATED) – In times of need, people come together to support one another. The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling the disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” t-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their t-shirt.
How to help
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May 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. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face-covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers, and employees.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming local blood donation opportunities May 15-31:
Lawrence County
Mitchell
- 5/28/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mitchell Church of Christ, 1004 Main Street
Monroe County
Bloomington
- 5/16/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 5/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 5/23/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 5/27/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
- 5/30/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
Bartholomew County
Columbus
- 5/21/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Commons, 300 Washington Street
Brown County
Nashville
- 5/29/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow Street
Greene County
Solsberry
- 5/16/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Solsberry Christian Church, Rural Route 2, Box 14
Johnson County
Edinburgh
- 5/18/2020: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Edinburgh Apostolic Tabernacle, 701 South Main Street
Franklin
- 5/21/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Emmanuel Church – Franklin Campus, 550 Homestead Blvd
Morgan County
Camby
- 5/17/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Grace Church, 4172 Allison Road
Vigo County
Terre Haute
- 5/22/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Vigo County YMCA, 951 Dresser Drive
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.
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.
