News release from the American Red Cross:
Donate blood with the Red Cross to support cancer patients and others needing blood
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month(September 30, 2015) — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.
Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.
“I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage,” she said. “I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood.”
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the 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
American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers:
Fort Wayne Donor Center
1212 E. California Rd., Fort Wayne
(across from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum)Whole Blood Donations
- Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Platelet Donations
- Monday and Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lutheran Hospital Donor Center
7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107, Fort Wayne
(South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)Whole Blood Donations
- Monday and Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Saturday: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Platelet Donations
- Monday and Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Additional blood donation opportunities
Adams County
- 10/27/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., South Adams Senior Center, 825 Hendrick St., Berne
Allen County
- 10/17/2015: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Blood Drive in Honor of Sarah Tippmann and All Mothers and Families, Scout Park Conference Center, 2300 Meyer Rd., Fort Wayne
- 10/17/2015: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne
- 10/21/2015: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., MedTech College Fort Wayne, 7230 Engle Rd. Suite 200, Fort Wayne
- 10/24/2015: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne
- 10/27/2015: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Harrison College, 6413 N Clinton, Fort Wayne
- 10/27/2015: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Science Building, 2101 E Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne
- 10/27/2015: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Midwest America Federal Credit Union, 801 East Tillman Rd., Fort Wayne
- 10/27/2015: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Midwest America Federal Credit Union, 1104 Medical Park Dr., Fort Wayne
- 10/27/2015: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 7710 East State Blvd., Fort Wayne
- 10/29/2015: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hope United Methodist Church, 6608 Hoagland, Hoagland
DeKalb County
- 10/24/2015: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Auburn Auction Park, 5536 County Rd. 11A, Auburn
Huntington County
- 10/18/2015: 7:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church/School, 860 Cherry St., Huntington
- 10/18/2015: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Huntington National Guard Armory, 800 Zahn St., Huntington
- 10/22/2015: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knight-Bergman Center, 132 S. Nancy St., Warren
LaGrange County
- 10/20/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Maple Grove Church, 806 S. Main St., Topeka
- 10/26/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St., LaGrange
Steuben County
- 10/28/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., RE/MAX, 100 Growth Parkway; Suite D, Angola
Wells County
- 10/19/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Dustman Rd., Bluffton
- 10/20/2015: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Bluffton Harrison Elementary, 1100 E.Spring St., Bluffton
- 10/31/2015: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., KOA Campground, 1625 Lancaster St., Bluffton
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 redcross.org.
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