BROOKFIELD, Ill. (July 19, 2017) — Blood donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand during the summer months, but every day there are thousands of lives to help save. The American Red Cross invites eligible donors to roll up a sleeve during the 3rd annual Brookfield Zoo Blood Drive, Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the zoo’s Discovery Center, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield.
“Blood donations often decline during the summer months when donors are vacationing and schools are out of session,” said Celena Roldán, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. “The Brookfield Zoo Blood Drive is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people in Chicago. Patients are counting on generous blood donors to help them spend more summers with their loved ones.”
All who come to donate will receive a $10 Visa gift card and be treated to a cookout, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Those with appointments will receive free general zoo admission the day of the drive for one adult and up to two children and free parking in the Discovery Center Parking Lot. All walk-in blood donors will receive a ticket for free general zoo admission on a return visit.
Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no substitute for donated blood products. Each day, the Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.
Eligible donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are urged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: BrookfieldZoo 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 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.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.