Red Cross seeking blood donations

American Red Cross news

With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.

Those who present to donate between August 26 and September 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.

“The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO of the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. “As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation.”

While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.

“Patients in local hospitals often can’t take a break to enjoy the holiday,” Whitman said. “But blood and platelet donors can give these patients a chance to enjoy this time with family and friends – simply by rolling up a sleeve.”

To help spur additional donations over the Labor Day weekend, all presenting blood and platelet donors between August 30 and September 2 will also receive a complimentary Red Cross T-shirt. For more information, and/or to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, call 800.RED CROSS (800.733.2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer.

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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.

For more information, visit the Red Cross website at http://redcross.org or Twitter at @RedCross.