Users of the American Red Cross Blood Donor App can schedule and manage their appointments to donate blood and monitor their history of donations. They can even track their donation’s journey to the hospital where it will help patients in need. There is also a feature that allowed Melanie and Tyler Hill to set up a donor group for individuals to dedicate their donation in memory of their 2-year-old son, Talon, who died in 2021.
Talon required a number of blood transfusions for a heart-related condition.
“From the get-go, Talon was special,” Melanie
Hill said. “But he needed blood constantly.”
That experience, Hill said, opened her eyes to the constant need for blood. It also inspired Hill and her husband to donate blood.
“I think now, what if it was someone you love who needed blood? You would give it,” she said. “That’s why we are so thankful that people give.”
Hill is grateful for the Red Cross Donor App to commemorate giving in Talon’s honor. She said the app makes it easy to help others in need. She tracked her latest donation that went to a children’s hospital in neighboring Ohio.
Hill said people don’t realize how impactful the blood they give can have on a family like hers.
“I can’t imagine if we didn’t have it,” she said. “It gave us a little more time with him and that was priceless.”
To donate in honor of Talon under the "Talon Strong" group on the Blood Donor App, or to make an appointment to give, visit 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 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.
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