Blood donation opportunities abound through American Red Cross 
As school subsides and summer planning begins, students and family members are encouraged to add one more activity to their vacation wish lists: donating blood.
“Imagine how it will feel when you can say: I helped save a life on my summer vacation,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “At the American Red Cross, we can make those words a reality before fall.”
The Red Cross relies on donors of high school and college age to help meet patient need for blood. About 20 percent of the community blood supply is donated by students through scheduled drives at schools, colleges or universities. Student-sponsored blood drives also comprise 17 percent of all Red Cross drives—coming in third behind community groups and businesses.
“We truly miss our college- and school-based drives when summer hits,” said Whitman. “But just because schools are closed doesn’t mean there aren’t other donation opportunities for eligible students.”
On any given day, Red Cross sponsors host about 12 blood drives in the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. Many of the drives are open to the public and held at community centers, businesses and churches.
“The need for blood never goes on vacation,” said Whitman. “We’d like to encourage everyone —including students – to bring life to their summer memories by making and keeping an appointment to donate blood in their community.”
The Red Cross has set up several social media sites to reach out to youth and other donors. For details, visit facebook.com/redcrossblood and search for American Red Cross blood donors.
Come to donate May 8 - 21 and be entered into a region-wide drawing to win a $250 Shopping Spree!
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Monday, May 17, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila in the Community Room, located at 1511 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Tuesday, May 18, from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Porter Lakes Elementary School, located at 208 S. 725 W. in Hebron. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Wednesday, May 19, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at the American Legion, located at 5675 Mulberry Ave. in Portage.
- Wednesday, May 19, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 1507 Glendale Blvd. in Valparaiso.
- Wednesday, May 19, from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Gortrac Division of A&A Manufacturing, located at 386 SR 2 in Valparaiso.
- Thursday, May 20, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Hopewell Mennonite Church in the Meeting Hall, located on SR 49 in Kouts.
- Thursday, May 27, from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Horizon Gymnastics Center, located at 1254 Horse Prairie in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, May 28, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Portage, located at 2637 McCool Road in Portage. Come to donate and receive an American Red Cross umbrella.
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 some states), 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 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.