Urgent need for blood donors to help prevent summer shortage
$5 Amazon.com Gift Card for all who come to give in June
Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.
Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.
Blood is needed every day to treat patients with a variety of urgent and routine medical care. The Red Cross supports patients at nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide and 80 hospitals in Indiana.
Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.* Those who give with the Red Cross in Central Ohio can also receive a buy one get one free entry coupon to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Blood drive safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities, June 15-30:
Carroll County
Burlington
6/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Burlington Community Park, E 5th Street
Cass County
Galveston
6/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Galveston United Methodist Church, 515 S Maple
Logansport
6/16/2020: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Sixth Grade Academy, 1300 N 3rd Street
Twelve Mile
6/24/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Twelve Mile Community Building, 8030 E SR 16
Elkhart County
Elkhart
6/29/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Northside Baptist Church, 53198 C.R. 9
Goshen
6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/16/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/17/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/19/2020: 7 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/20/2020: 7 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/21/2020: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/23/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/24/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/26/2020: 7 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/26/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Grace Community Church, 20076 County Road 36
6/27/2020: 7 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/28/2020: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/29/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
6/30/2020: 12 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Goshen Blood Donation Center, 1123 South Indiana
Middlebury
6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Mennonite Church, 203 E. Lawrence
Fulton County
Rochester
6/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fulton County Library, 320 W. 7th Street
Grant County
Marion
6/16/2020: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Marion Public Library, 600 South Washington
6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., College Wesleyan Church, 200 East 38th Street
Swayzee
6/29/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Swayzee United Methodist Church, 306 S Washington
Howard County
Kokomo
6/17/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 W 100 N
6/18/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chapel Hill Church, 2600 W Alto Rd
6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Friends Meeting, 1801 Zartman
6/30/2020: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 2734 S Washington St
Jasper County
Demotte
6/23/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grace Fellowship Church, 1424 8th Street SE
6/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Belstra Milling Company, 308 15th Street SE
Kosciusko County
Etna Green
6/23/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Camp Creek Church of the Brethren, 7486 N SR 19
Milford
6/18/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Milford Community Building, 111 S Main Street
North Webster
6/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., North Webster Church of God, 302 N Main
Warsaw
6/18/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St.
La Porte County
La Crosse
6/27/2020: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Center of LaCrosse, 100 S. Washington
La Porte
6/19/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., LaPorte County Annex, 809 State Street
6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., LaPorte Civic Auditoruim, 1001 Ridge St.
6/26/2020: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., LaPorte Civic Auditoruim, 1001 Ridge St.
6/29/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Laporte Hospital, 1007 W. Lincolnway
Michigan City
6/17/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Michigan City Fire Training Center, 2510 E. Michigan Blvd
Lagrange County
Lagrange
6/16/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 797 N. Detroit St.
Topeka
6/16/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Maple Grove Church, 806 S. Main St.
Lake County
Cedar Lake
6/17/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lighthouse Church, 13419 Parrish Avenue
6/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 13039 Wicker Avenue
Crown Point
6/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Crown Point Community Library, 122 N. Main Street
Griffith
6/30/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Griffith Family YMCA, 201 N. Griffith Blvd.
Highland
6/25/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wicker Memorial Park, 2215 Ridge Rd.
Hobart
6/22/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hobart Community Center, 111 E Old Ridge Road
6/23/2020: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Boilermakers Local 374, 760 N. Union St
Merrillville
6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave
6/17/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Mary Orthodox Center, 8600 Grand Blvd
6/20/2020: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave
6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave
6/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Living Hope Church, 9000 Taft Street
6/27/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Joan of Arc, 200 E. 78th Avenue
6/29/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Merrillville Blood Donation Center, 791 East 83rd Ave
Schererville
6/15/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Patrician Banquet Center, 410 E Hwy 30,
6/22/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Patrician Banquet Center, 410 E Hwy 30,
Marshall County
Bourbon
6/30/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Matchett Square Bourbon Senior Center, 805 N Harris Street
Culver
6/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vandalia Train Staion, 615 E. Shore Drive
Miami County
Denver
6/22/2020: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Denver, 111 N Yorick
Peru
6/26/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dukes Memorial Hospital, 275 West 12th Street
Porter County
Chesterton
6/18/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 434 South 2nd Street
6/24/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairhaven Baptist Church, 86 East Oak Hill Road
6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 106 E. 1100 N
6/28/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 North Calumet Road
Portage
6/15/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., St. Peter Lutheran Church, 6540 Central Ave.
Valparaiso
6/16/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Eagles Lodge, 805 Elm Street
6/19/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson Street
6/19/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows, 356 West 700 North
6/23/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division St.
6/29/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran School, 1700 North Monticello Dr.
6/29/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 North Campbell
6/30/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Valparaiso Nazarene Church, 2702 Glendale Avenue
St Joseph County
Granger
6/19/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St Pius X Church, 52553 Fir Rd
Tippecanoe County
Lafayette
6/17/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College, 3101 S. Creasy Lane
6/30/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 3610 S 18th Street
West Lafayette
6/30/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Faith West, 1920 Northwestern Avenue
Wabash County
North Manchester
6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street
Wabash
6/16/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 110 N. Cass St.
6/19/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Parkview Wabash Hospital, 10 John Kissinger Drive
White County
Monon
6/18/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Monon Civic Center, 400 North Market Street
About blood donation
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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.
*Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.