On June 28, 2018, five journalists who worked at the Capital Gazette Newspaper in Annapolis were killed in a shooting rampage. Wendi Winters, a “proud Navy mom,” church youth adviser, Girl Scout leader and American Red Cross volunteer, was among those taken too soon.
Wendi invested her time helping those in need. She educated the public on the critical need for blood and platelet transfusions for those undergoing cancer treatment, sickle cell treatment and other patient care. She also coordinated regular blood drives as a volunteer blood program leader with the American Red Cross. On February 12th, her legacy of service continues. Join us in Wendi Winters’ memory to give blood and help save lives at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis. Schedule your appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code ForWendi.
Donors who come to give blood Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to our partners at Amazon. We hope donors will put it toward something that makes them feel good, because they deserve it. They can treat themselves to a new pair of mittens, a scarf, or a box of chocolates. Those who come to give at the Wendi Winters Memorial Drive will also receive a free long-sleeve T-shirt, while supplies last.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
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 not-for-profit 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.