Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
BILOXI, Miss. (June 12, 2019) — Since 1988, the American Red Cross has partnered with local media to help maintain a substantial summer blood supply. The community is invited to celebrate summer and help save lives at the 32nd annual Media for Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, June 24 through Thursday, June 27 at multiple locations on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Those who attend the Media for Red Cross Blood Drive will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, free food, and *a $10 gift card and free regular-size popcorn from Premiere Cinemas, while supplies last.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood through the Missing Types campaign. The goal of Missing Types campaign is to change the statistics by inspiring blood donors, especially new donors, to give this summer and become regular blood donors for patients in need in the years to come. Only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood, yet every two seconds, someone needs it. There simply aren’t enough people donating blood to help patients in need. More blood donors are needed now to fill the gaps for patients like Patty Mace, from Vicksburg, who received blood transfusions due to complications while giving birth to her first child.
“My son would have grown up without his mother, but donors gave me life,” said Mace, thanking volunteer blood donors for saving her life. “Had I not received the blood transfusions, I would not have had the opportunity to meet my first-born child face to face,” she said. “Without blood donors, I would have died.”
During labor, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mace had emergency surgery due to complications, lost a significant amount of blood, and received multiple lifesaving blood transfusions. It was not until a week and a half after her surgery that she was able to see her baby for the first time.
“Our volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients like Patty Mace,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager for the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “We appreciate WLOX-TV, WXXV 25, Coast Radio Group, and the Sun Herald Newspaper for partnering with us to create this fun tradition of rolling up a sleeve and helping to ensure a stable blood supply.”
Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
Help save lives at one of the following blood drives:
6/24/19: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pascagoula Walmart 4253 Denny Ave., Pascagoula
6/25/19: noon – 7 p.m., Edgewater Mall 2600 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
6/26/19: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Hollywood Casino and Resort 711 Hollywood Blvd., Bay St. Louis
6/27/19: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pass Christian Walmart 1617 E. Beach Blvd., Pass Christian
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) sponsor code: gulfcoast. Donors of all blood types are needed. 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.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, from a computer or mobile device on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
*Offers and items are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash. Items are available while supplies last.