The need for blood is constant, even during summer
It’s that time of year to gear up for fun in the sun. School’s out, vacations are planned and longstanding routines are replaced with carefree, casual days. It’s also a time when the need for blood often outpaces donations.
High school and college students donate about 20 percent of the blood collected through the American Red Cross at scheduled drives on their campuses. When those drives are not held during the summer months donation totals drop. In addition, individuals who donate regularly at their place of worship, workplace or a donor center may overlook giving blood when summer activities fill calendars.
“The need for blood never takes a vacation,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We encourage everyone who can donate to pick a date, make an appointment and honor that appointment to help keep our community blood supply strong.”
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. These individuals are someone’s friend, relative or neighbor. What if one of your loved ones needs blood this summer? Will the blood be available when needed?
“The Red Cross and the patients who receive lifesaving blood depend on volunteers to donate blood, even during the summer,” said Whitman. “Add a blood donation to your list of summer activities. Your single donation could help save the lives of up to three patients and impact the lives of those three patients’ friends and relatives.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Tuesday, June 18, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 907 Michigan Ave. in LaPorte.
- Thursday, June 20, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at LaPorte County Health Department, located at 302 W. Eight St. in Michigan City.
- Friday, June 21, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the LaPorte County Annex in the Conference Room, located at 809 State St. in LaPorte. This is a Fallen Officer blood drive.
- Saturday, June 22, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Christos Family Dining, located at 1462 West SR 2 in LaPorte.
- Monday, June 24, from noon until 5 p.m. at IU Health LaPorte Hospital in the Auditorium, located at 1007 W. Lincolnway in LaPorte. Come to donate and receive a $3 lunch coupon courtesy of IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
- Friday, June 28, from 8 a.m. until noon at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in St. Francis Hall, located at 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City.
- Saturday, June 29, from 7 a.m. until noon at Sacred Heart Church in the Hall, located at 204 N. Ohio St. in Wanatah.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in 60 hospitals. 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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.