Observe National Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September

News release from the American Red Cross:

Observe National Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September by donating blood with the American Red Cross
Help maintain a diverse blood supply to meet the needs of all patients

(August 20, 2014) – The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply by giving blood in honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that causes red blood cells to form an abnormal crescent shape. It is estimated that sickle cell disease affects as many as 100,000 people in the U.S. Many of these patients face a lifetime of blood transfusions to help reduce the risk of stroke, damage to major organs and other complications that can arise as a result of sickle cell disease.

Since blood from donors of the same ethnic background as the recipient is less likely to cause complications, the Red Cross must maintain a diverse blood supply. This is particularly important for patients like those with sickle cell disease who may require regular blood transfusions.

To help increase donations during the month of September, those who come out to donate blood or platelets throughout the month will receive a coupon by email for a free haircut at participating Sport Clips locations.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Adams County

• Monday, September 8 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.at Lehman Park Pavilion, 667 Lehman Street in Berne.
• Monday, September 15 from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.at Riverside Center, 231 East Monroe Street in Decatur.

 

Allen County

• Tuesday, September 2 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.at Old National Bank, 116 East Berry Street in Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, September 2 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.at Ivy Tech Community College – N. Anthony Blvd., 3800 North Anthony Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, September 2 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.at Monroeville EMS, 103 S. Water Street in Monroeville.
• Thursday, September 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at Summit Brands, 7201 Engle Road
• Friday, September 5 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at Fort Wayne Blood Donation Center, 1212 E. Califorina Road
• Monday, September 8 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.at Grabill Missionary Church, 13637 State Street in Grabill.
• Tuesday, September 9 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.at Brown Mackie College, 3000 East Coliseum Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, September 9 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.at Indiana Tech, 1600 E. Washington Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• Wednesday, September 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.at Science Building – Indiana Purdue University, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, September 11 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.at Science Building – Indiana Purdue University, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• Saturday, September 13 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1819 Reservation Drive in Fort Wayne.
• Sunday, September 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2213 Brooklyn Avenue in Fort Wayne.
• Monday, September 15 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.at Third Place, 1601 West Cedar Canyon Road in Huntertown.

 

DeKalb County

• Tuesday, September 2 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.at First United Methodist Church, 1203 East 7th Street in Auburn.

 

Huntington County

• Sunday, September 7 from 7:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church/School, 860 Cherry Street in Huntington.
• Monday, September 8 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 1000 Flaxmill Road in Huntington.
• Wednesday, September 10 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.at Huntington University, 2303 College Avenue in Huntington.

 

Noble County

• Tuesday, September 2 from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.at Parkview Noble Hospital, 401 Sawyer Road in Kendallville.
• Friday, September 5 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.at Faith United Methodist Church, 411 Harding Street in Kendallville.
• Friday, September 5 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.at Park & Recreation Center, 520 W. Union Street in Ligonier.
• Monday, September 8 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.at Grace Christian Church, 126 E. Mitchell Street in Kendallville.
• Friday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.at Gold Wing Rally – Parking Lot, 580 N Fair Street in Kendallville.

 

Steuben County

• Wednesday, September 3 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.at Helmer United Methodist Church, 7530 S SR 327 in Helmer.
• Monday, September 8 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.at Fairview Missionary Church, 525 E 200 N in Angola.
• Thursday, September 11 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.at American Legion Post 423, 6215 S.R. 327 in Orland.

 

Wells County

• Wednesday, September 3 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at Southern Wells High School, 9120 South 300 West in Poneto.
• Monday, September 15 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.at Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse Street in Markle.

 

The Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)

• Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

The Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)

• Monday and Tuesday: noon – 6 p.m.
• Wednesday: closed
• Thursday through Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon *

*2nd Thursday of the month: noon – 6 p.m.

 

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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