American Red Cross encourages blood or platelet donations for the holidays
Imagine giving a gift that everyone wants but money can’t buy.
That gift could be one that brings more smiles, more joy, more hugs, and more time with family and friends.
Imagine giving a gift like that. Then imagine you can in the next few months by donating blood and platelets through your American Red Cross.
“We’re asking you to think outside the gift box this holiday season,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “The perfect gift doesn’t come with a bow or fit under a tree. Your gift of life comes from within, and it costs nothing more than about an hour of your time.”
Every day of every season, hospital patients need blood and platelets for the treatment of serious diseases like cancer, for lifesaving surgeries, or for emergency care related to accidents or trauma. And while the need is constant, donations from volunteer blood donors sometimes taper off during busy holiday times.
“When you give blood or platelets, you’re giving someone hope,” said Whitman. “It’s hard to think of a more perfect gift.”
More details and a video on giving the perfect gift of blood or platelets through the American Red Cross can be viewed at redcrossblood.org/perfectgift. For information on other ways you can give back to your community this holiday season through your American Red Cross, visit redcross.org/gifts or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Come to donate from Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 and be entered into a region-wide drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card.
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Friday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Porter Hospital Valparaiso Campus in the Patio Room, located at 814 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Friday, Dec. 2, from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Portage High School in the gymnasium, located at 6450 E. Highway 6 in Portage.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Washington Evangelical Free Church in the gymnasium, located at 3805 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Dec. 5, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge in the Social Hall, located at 805 Elm St. in Valparaiso.
- Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Opportunity Enterprises in the Meeting Room, located at 2801 Evans Ave. in Valparaiso. Please call 464-9621, ext. 218 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Friday, Dec. 9, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Northview Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 257 Northview Drive in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, Dec. 9, from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows in Franciscan Hall, located at 356 West 700 North in Valparaiso.
- Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Union Fire & Rescue in the Training Room, located at 267 North 600 West in Valparaiso.
- Sunday, Dec. 11, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the Chandelier Room, located at 638 N. Calumet Road in Chesterton. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Sunday, Dec. 11, from noon until 4 p.m. at The Courts of Northwest Indiana, located at 127 East U.S. Highway 6 in Valparaiso.
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the YMCA, located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive in Valparaiso.
- Thursday, Dec. 15, from noon until 6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Meeting Hall, located at 106 East 1100 North in Chesterton.
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. Platelet donors should also be aspirin-free for 48 hours.
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 more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.