Spring into action and donate blood

News release from the American Red Cross:

Spring into action and donate blood with the Red Cross

(March 31, 2015) — The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to make a difference in the lives of patients this spring by giving blood.

Donated blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished to keep up with the demand. Red blood cells, with a shelf life of only 42 days, are the most frequently transfused blood component, and are always needed by hospitals.

Eligible donors can give red cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation, where available. Double red cell donations yield twice the usual amount of red cells in a single appointment and are accepted at select donation locations. Double red cell donors must meet additional eligibility criteria, which will be determined at the donation appointment.

Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, and double red cells may be donated every 112 days, up to three times per year.

To find a donation opportunity or make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Adams County

• 4/17/2015: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Adams Memorial Hospital, 1100 Mercer Ave. in Decatur.
• 4/20/2015: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Lehman Park Pavilion, 667 Lehman St. in Berne.
• 4/22/2015: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Chalet Village, 1065 Parkway St. in Berne.
• 4/27/2015: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Riverside Center, 231 East Monroe St. in Decatur.

 

Allen County

• 4/16/2015: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dupont Hospital, 2520 East Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/18/2015: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/19/2015: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Blackhawk Ministries, 7400 E. State Blvd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/19/2015: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/21/2015: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Perry Pro Tech, 134 E. Collins Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/21/2015: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Walb Student Union, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• 4/22/2015: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Walb Student Union, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd in Fort Wayne.
• 4/23/2015: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Frontier Communications, 6430 Oakbrook Parkway in Fort Wayne.
• 4/23/2015: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hope United Methodist Church, 6608 Hoagland in Hogland.
• 4/25/2015: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., St. Vincent de Paul, 1720 East Wallen Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/26/2015: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pathway Community Church, 11910 Shearwater Run in Fort Wayne.
• 4/27/2015: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Glenbrook Hyundai, 4801 Coldwater Rd. in Fort Wayne.
• 4/27/2015: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Glenbrook Dodge, 100 West Coliseum in Fort Wayne.
• 4/29/2015: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tomkinson BMW, 929 Avenue of Autos, 14/69 Auto Mall in Fort Wayne.
• 4/30/2015: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Faith Baptist Church, 6600 Trier Rd. in Fort Wayne.

 

DeKalb County

• 4/21/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Garrett, 515 W. 5th Ave. in Garrett.
• 4/25/2015: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren, 2939 County Rd. 15 in Auburn.

 

Huntington County

• 4/26/2015: 7:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church/School, 860 Cherry St. in Huntington.

 

LaGrange County

• 4/17/2015: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lakeland High School, 0805 E 075 N in LaGrange.
• 4/21/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Maple Grove Church, 806 S. Main St. in Topeka.

 

Noble County

• 4/20/2015: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grace Christian Church, 126 E. Mitchell St. in Kendallville.

 

Steuben County

• 4/22/2015: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sonlight Community Church, 455 N Gerald Lett Ave. in Angola.
• 4/30/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 423, 6215 S.R. 327 in Orland.

 

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 or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Related Images: