Red Cross calls for blood donors as unique as the patients they help

News release from the American Red Cross:

Red Cross calls for blood donors as unique as the patients they help

(January 19, 2015) – In honor of Black History Month this February, and in the spirit of Dr. Charles Drew, an African-American surgeon who was the first medical director of the American Red Cross and a modern blood-banking pioneer, eligible donors as diverse as the patients who need their blood donations are encouraged to give blood to ensure a sufficient blood supply.

Blood from a donor with a similar ethnic background as that of the patient is less likely to cause complications, particularly for those patients whose chronic conditions require repeated transfusions. Sickle cell disease is one such chronic condition affecting as many as 100,000 people in the United States.

Prior to transfusion, blood type and Rh factor are matched between donated blood and the patient in need. In some cases, additional red cell markers in donated blood must be matched, as well. These markers are best found in blood from donors of a similar ethnicity.

With seasonal flu and inclement winter weather preventing many regular donors from giving, the Red Cross urges healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood in the coming days and weeks. All blood types are currently needed to help maintain a diverse and sufficient blood supply, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Allen County

• Monday, Feb. 2 from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Christian Community Center of Harlan, 12616 Spencerville Rd. in Harlan.
• Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Parkview Hospital, 2200 Randallia in Fort Wayne.
• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., North Eastern Group Realty, 10808 LaCabreah Lane, Suite 101 in Fort Wayne.
• Friday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Mill Supplies Inc., 5105 Industrial Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Our Lady of Good Hope, 7215 St. Joe Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• Monday, Feb. 9 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 630 Lincoln Hwy. East in New Haven.
• Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Parkview Regional Medical Center, 11109 Parkview Plaza Dr. in Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tomkinson BMW, 929 Ave. of Autos, 14/69 Auto Mall in Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Parkview Regional Medical Center, 11109 Parkview Plaza Dr. in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Science Building – Indiana Purdue University, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• Thursday, Feb. 12 from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Dupont Hospital, 2520 East Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne.

 

DeKalb County

• Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1203 East 7th St. in Auburn.
• Saturday, Feb. 14 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Blood Drive in Memory of Alexander Rodecap, Classic City Center, 3375 County Rd. 427 in Waterloo.

 

Huntington County

• Monday, Feb. 2 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Evangelical United Methodist Church, 1000 Flaxmill Rd. in Huntington.
• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Huntington University, 2303 College Ave.
• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion, 1122 N Main St. in Roanoke.

 

LaGrange County

• Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., KZ-RV, 0985 N 900 W in Shipshewana.
• Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., LaGrange First Church of God, 777 N. Detroit St. in Lagrange.

 

Steuben County

• Monday, Feb. 9 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 700 West Maumee St. in Angola.

 

Wells County

• Sunday, Feb. 15 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Life Church, 428 South Oak St. in Bluffton.

 

Whitley County

• Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., South Whitley United Methodist Church, 6685 West SR 14, P O Box 386 in South Whitley.
• Thursday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 605 North Forest Parkway in Columbia City.
• Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Parkview Whitley Hospital, 1260 East State Rd. 205 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 redcross.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 redcross.org.

Related Images: