Memorial Day blood donations needed to help save lives

Press release from the American Red Cross:

Memorial Day blood donations needed to help save lives
Public urged to jumpstart summer by giving blood

While many people mark Memorial Day by marching in parades or flying flags, more and more people are honoring U.S. service men and women by donating blood through the American Red Cross.

“Donating blood around Memorial Day is a way you can honor U.S. service men and women who gave their lives to defend our nation,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Your donation will also help strengthen the blood supply during a time of year when blood can be in high demand.”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. While that need is constant, the number of people donating can vary, particularly during summer. Slumps in blood donations are typical from May through September since donors may fill their calendars with seasonal activities and overlook giving blood.

To help increase donation activity during the summer, the Red Cross is bringing back Red Cross Racing for a third season. This online donor rewards program encourages more people to give blood and asks eligible donors to give more often. The program recognizes the importance of frequent donations by offering rewards for blood donation activities. Donors can visit redcrossracing.com to schedule and report blood donations, view points, exchange points for rewards and encourage friends to donate blood. Donors can also take part in Fantasy Racing and start or join a team.

“Red Cross Racing is just one more way we can say thanks for helping to save lives,” said Whitman. “We’d like everyone who can to jumpstart summer and join the race where everyone wins.”

Come to donate May 8-21 and be entered into a region-wide drawing to win a $250 Shopping Spree!

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

• Saturday, May 1, from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Books Comics & Things, located at 2212 Maplecrest Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 493-6116 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Wednesday, May 5, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Kohl’s Apple Glen, located at 1410 Apple Glen Blvd. in Fort Wayne. Please call 434-0445 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Thursday, May 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Fire Police City County Federal Credit Union, located at 3306 N. Clinton in Fort Wayne. Please call 469-5940 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Saturday, May 8, from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul, located at 1720 E. Wallen Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 484-0078 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Academy, located at 7602 Patriot Crossing in Fort Wayne.
• Monday, May 10, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Grabill Missionary Church, located at 13637 State St. in Grabill. Please call 466-3213 to arrange transportation to this blood drive.
• Monday, May 10, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Walmart, located at 1710 Apple Glen in Fort Wayne.
• Wednesday, May 12, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Walmart Chapel Ridge, located at 10420 Maysville Road in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, May 13, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at Belmont Beverage, located at 3309 N. Anthony Blvd. in Fort Wayne. Please call 424-4604 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Friday, May 14, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Kohl’s Chapel Ridge, located at 10310 Maysville Road in Fort Wayne.
• Saturday, May 15, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at United Methodist Church of the Covenant, located at 10001 Coldwater Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 438-2801 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)

Traditional whole blood or double red cell donation:

• Mon. & Tues. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Weds. & Thurs. 12 noon – 6 p.m.
• Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Platelet Pheresis Donation (call 1-800-589-8127 or 260-480-8299 to schedule a platelet donation):

• Mon. 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tues. & Weds. 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thurs. 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Fri. 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Sat. 6:30 a.m. – 12 noon
• Sun. 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital) Traditional whole blood or platelet pheresis donation (no platelet pheresis on Wednesdays):

• Monday through Wednesday: 12 noon – 6 p.m.
• Thursday through Saturday: 6 a.m. – 12 noon
• Sunday: by appointment only

 

How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1 -800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

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