Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Jan. 14, 2019) – Join the American Red Cross in helping to save lives at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Blood Drive Tuesday, Feb. 12, Wednesday, Feb. 13, and Thursday Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Ullsvik Hall. This blood drive is one of the largest in Southeastern Wisconsin with more than 700 students, staff, faculty and community members rolling up a sleeve over the three days to help save lives.
This blood drive will help the blood supply recover from a donation shortfall over the winter holidays that prompted the Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now. Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and type O blood donors, are needed to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care.
“The need for blood continues regardless of weather or season,” said Laura McGuire, communications manager for the Red Cross Badger Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “We often don’t see enough blood donors in the winter months. We are asking first time donors to share the love and give blood the week of Valentine’s Day.”
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 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
The Red Cross invites students, staff, faculty and the residents of Platteville 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.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Blood Drive is a part of the Red Cross’ We Challenge U program, which encourages college students to get involved in the community by organizing blood drives and recruiting friends and faculty to give blood during winter months. This year’s drive is being organized with the support of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Residence Hall Association, the National Residence Hall Honorary, Greek Life and Circle K. All presenting donors will receive a commemorative We Challenge U T-shirt, while supplies last.
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.