Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
AMES, Iowa (Feb. 28, 2019) — Join the American Red Cross and Iowa State University’s blood committee in helping to save lives at the Iowa State University Blood Drive Monday, March 11 through Thursday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Memorial Union. All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
This blood drive will help the blood supply recover from a donation shortfall this winter that has prompted the Red Cross to issue an urgent call for blood and platelet donors to give now. The Red Cross currently has a severe shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors ─ as well as eligible donors of all blood types ─ to help prevent the blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care.
“The winter months are among the most challenging times of year for the Red Cross to collect enough blood donations,” said Shannon Montgomery, district manager for the Red Cross. “This season is no different as weather has forced many blood drives to be cancelled. We are grateful that Iowa State University is sponsoring this blood drive. We are asking all eligible donors to roll up a sleeve, schedule an appointment and help save lives. First time donors are also encouraged to give a gift from the heart by giving blood.”
The Red Cross invites students, staff, faculty and the residents of Ames to rally around a lifesaving cause. If you are on or off campus, there’s no better way to celebrate the giving nature of the community than by helping the Red Cross maintain a sufficient 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.
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.
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: cyclones 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.