Red Cross Welcomes Next Generation of Blood Donors

For these donors—it may have been their first, but not their last, blood donation.

March is American Red Cross Month, a time we celebrate those who support their community through the mission of the Red Cross, including generous blood and platelet donors. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. But unlike other treatments, those lifesaving blood transfusions are only possible thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors. To ensure that the Red Cross can meet the needs of all patients, the organization continues to seek ways to engage more communities around its blood mission.

In the past year, the Red Cross has welcomed newly eligible members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to new FDA guidance, which eliminated eligibility questions based on sexual orientation. In addition, through the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, the number of Black or African American blood donors has increased by half to 4% to help meet the needs of sickle cell warriors.

This Red Cross Month, the Red Cross invites those new to blood donation, individuals who haven’t given in a while and dedicated blood and platelet donors to give. A strong, diverse blood donor base is not only vital to helping to ensure a stable national inventory of blood products, but also critical in helping to provide closely matched blood products to reduce complications for patients.

Schedule an appointment to give today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-900-733-2767). As a thank-you for helping patients during Red Cross Month, all who come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details.