Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The American Red Cross invites blood donors to help save lives by giving blood at the Black History Month Blood Drive in partnership with WRTV, 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and Martin University’s National Center of Racial Equity and Inclusion (NCREI) on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Martin University’s Gathertorium in Indianapolis.
Together, the Red Cross, WRTV, 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and NCREI are partnering to expand blood donation opportunities in Black communities and to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients in need, especially those battling sickle cell disease. The Red Cross launched a sickle cell initiative in September last year to address this need.
More than 100,000 people live with sickle cell disease nationwide, and most patients are of African descent. Sickle cell is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. Patients often rely on regular blood transfusions to help manage disease complications, which may include severe pain, organ failure and even stroke. Many individuals who are Black have distinct markers on their red blood cells that make their blood donations the most compatible match for helping patients with sickle cell disease.
Donors can take action today by scheduling a blood donation appointment for this upcoming blood drive at RedCrossBlood.org, by downloading the Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Donors can input the blood drive Sponsor Code: 100BlackMen
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.