The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and platelets around the Memorial Day holiday and throughout the summer to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need.
Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents, medical emergencies and chronic blood conditions don’t take a summer break – patients need blood every day.
SPECIAL THANK YOU MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
To encourage donations around the Memorial Day holiday, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Additionally, those who come to give May 25-29, will receive an exclusive Red Cross branded T-shirt, while supplies last.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a lifesaving blood transfusion. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations each day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GIVE MORE LIFE
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days – up to 24 times a year. 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
