American Red Cross encourages donors to make blood donation a lifelong habit

News release from the American Red Cross:

American Red Cross encourages donors to make blood donation a lifelong habit
Leaders Save Lives Program gives students chance to win college scholarship

(October 3, 2014) – The American Red Cross reminds eligible donors that it’s never too late – or too early – to make blood donation a lifelong habit.

Many blood donors report making their first blood donation while in high school. High school and college students account for about 20 percent of all blood donations to the Red Cross. Individuals can begin donating at 17 years old, or 16 in some states, and continue to donate as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Blood donations often decline during the winter holidays when school is not in session. The Red Cross is offering 16- to 24-year-old students currently enrolled in school a way to help overcome this seasonal decline and have a chance to win a college scholarship. Students who sponsor a successful blood drive between Dec. 15, 2014, and Jan. 15, 2015, through the Leaders Save Lives program will be entered to win a college scholarship and will receive a gift card. More information is available at https://www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-a-blood-drive/learn-about-hosting/why-host-a-blood-drive/leaders-save-lives.html.

Donors are needed year-round, particularly those with types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. Those who attempt to donate in October will be entered to win a $5,000 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

To make an appointment to donate blood, eligible donors are encouraged to download the new Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Allen County

• Saturday, Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Charles Catholic Church/School, 4910 Trier Road in Fort Wayne.
• Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza in Fort Wayne.
• Sunday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 1st 293 Infantry Battalion, 130 West Cook Road in Fort Wayne.
• Monday, Oct. 20 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 943 Powers Street in New Haven.
• Thursday, Oct. 23 from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton Street in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Oct. 23 from 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hope United Methodist Church, 6608 Hoagland in Hoagland.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 7710 East State Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Science Building – Indiana Purdue University, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 300 West Wayne in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Science Building – Indiana Purdue University, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Oct. 30 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Belmont Beverage, 3309 North Anthony Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Choice Designs, 3223 Carroll Road in Fort Wayne.

 

DeKalb County

• Monday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wal-mart, 505 Touring Drive in Auburn.
• Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Garrett, 515 W. 5th Avenue in Garrett.
• Monday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lakewood Park Christian School, 5555 CR 29 South in Auburn.

 

Huntington County

• Sunday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Huntington National Guard Armory, 800 Zahn Street in Huntington.

 

LaGrange County

• Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Maple Grove Church, 806 S. Main Street in Topeka.

 

Noble County

• Friday, Oct. 17 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Kendallville Public Library, 221 S Park Avenue in Kendallville.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., South Side Elementary, 1350 Sherman Street in Kendallville.
• Thursday, Oct. 30 from 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rome City Elementary School, 400 Jefferson Street in Rome City.

 

Steuben County

• Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sonlight Community Church, 455 N Gerald Lett Avenue in Angola.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., RE/MAX, 100 Growth Parkway; Suite D in Angola.
• Thursday, Oct. 30 from 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hamilton High School, 903 S. Wayne Street in Hamilton.

 

Wells County

• Thursday, Oct. 16 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Bluffton Harrison Elementary, 1100 East Spring Street in Bluffton.
• Sunday, Oct. 26 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1300 North Main Street in Bluffton.

 

Whitley County

• Thursday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 605 North Forest Parkway in Columbia City.
• Saturday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., First Church of God, 1200 West Depoy in Columbia City.

 

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 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 (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 redcrossblood.org.

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