Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MADISON, Wis. (June 4, 2019) — Right now, the American Red Cross has a critical need for blood and platelet donations to ensure blood types don’t go missing. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
The community is invited to donate blood with the Red Cross and Entercom Radio at the 19th annual Beach Days Blood Drive Wednesday July 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, 706 John Nolen Drive, in Madison.
New donors, those who haven’t given recently and regular donors are urged to give now to help ensure blood donations are available all summer long – one of the most difficult times to collect enough blood to meet patient needs.
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross is urging individuals to help ensure blood is never missing from hospital shelves by donating blood or platelets through the Missing Types campaign. Despite blood’s lifesaving role, only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood each year. The goal of Missing Types is to inspire new and current blood donors to give this summer and help fill the missing types.
“During the summer, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors, and current donors often delay giving due to warm-weather activities and vacation plans, but the need for blood remains constant,” said Michelle Meekma-Yaun, donor recruitment account manager with the Red Cross.
All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, a $10 Visa card (via email) and enjoy picnic style food, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last.
“Last summer we were thrilled that this blood drive collected over 153 lifesaving donations and many of those donations came from first time donors,” said Laura McGuire, external communications manager with the Red Cross. “Our volunteers and staff are patient, experienced and professional at coaching new donors through the donation process. Blood donations of all types are needed and acquiring new donors helps to keep the blood supply at stable levels. We appreciate Entercom Radio for their support and encouraging people to come out to the Sheraton Hotel in Madison to donate.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. There is no substitute for donated blood products.
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.