INDIANA – As fall approaches, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood and kick off the season with a blood donation.
The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them. While summer winds down, the Red Cross is concerned that the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant and a potentially active hurricane season may further challenge the ability to collect and meet hospital demand.
In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen blood donor turnout declined by nearly 10% while hospital demand continues to outpace donations. This decline is believed to be due to multiple reasons, including the continued effects of the pandemic on blood drive cancellations and donor availability as well as back-to-school preparations for many families.
Make a game plan to donate – patients are relying on the kindness of blood and platelet donors for their continued treatment. Schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 3-7 will receive a new, 16-ounce Red Cross campfire mug, while supplies last. S
Sport Clips Haircuts and Red Cross partnership helps
Having stable blood and platelet supply is the best defense against a shortage. This September, donors can do good and look good when they give blood as part of the Red Cross and Sport Clips Tackle the Need.
Those who come to give blood Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 30, 2021, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.
The Red Cross and Sport Clips encourage donors to use the hashtag #TackleTheNeed to share
their new looks and invite others to give.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-15:
Lawrence County
Mitchell
9/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mitchell Church of Christ, 1004 Main Street
9/27/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 101 Tom Green Drive
Monroe County
Bloomington
9/7/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Indiana University Health Bloomington Medical Arts Building, 619 W 1st St.
9/8/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
9/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indiana University Health Bloomington Medical Arts Building, 619 W 1st St.
9/15/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
9/18/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grace Baptist Church – Bloomington, 2320 N Smith Pike
9/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Indiana University Wright Residence Center, 501 N. Jordan Avenue
9/28/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana University Read Residence Center, 125 S. Jordan
9/29/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
9/29/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., School of Education, 201 N. Rose Avenue
10/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., In Memory of Don Francis, 5080 W State Rd 46
Morgan County
Martinsville
9/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hoosier Harvest Chuch, 4085 Leonard Rd
Owen County
Spencer
9/30/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Owen Valley High School, 622 W. Hwy 46
Greene County
Bloomfield
9/14/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cincinnati Christian Church, 11432 SR 54 East
Scotland
9/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Scotland Community Church, 7748 S Pleasant St
Bartholomew County
Columbus
8/31/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bartholomew County Library, 536 5th Street
9/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ivy Tech Community College, 4475 Central Ave.
9/3/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street
9/17/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church Columbus, 618 8th Street
Delaware County
Muncie
9/23/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, 2401 W University Ave
9/29/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mitchell Early Childhood & Family Center, 2809 W. Purdue Avenue
Hamilton County
Carmel
9/4/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Venture Christian Church, 14501 Hazel Dell Pkwy
9/20/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., IU Health North Hospital, 11700 North Meridian Fishers
9/7/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Hawthorns Golf and Country Club, 12255 Club Pointe Drive
9/7/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
9/25/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Crossroads Community Church, 148885 Southeastern Parkway
Hancock County
Fortville
9/16/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mercy Road Church Northeast, 611 Vitality Drive
Hendricks County
Avon
9/14/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., IU Health West Hospital, 1111 Ronald Regan Pkwy
Madison County
Anderson
9/24/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Madison Park Church of God, 6607 Providence Drive Pendleton
9/13/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fall Creek Christian Church, 1102 W 700 S
9/20/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church Pendleton, 225 West State Street
Marion County
Indianapolis
8/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., IU Health Methodist Hospital, 1701 Senate Blvd.
8/31/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., One America, 1 American Square
9/1/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., One America, 1 American Square
9/1/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
9/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
9/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Post 500, 1926 Georgetown Road
9/10/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., IMPD East District HQ, 201 North Shadeland Ave.
9/15/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
9/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., North Willow Farms, 1635 Brewster Road
9/21/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Drive
9/29/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Regions Tower, 211 North Pennsylvania Street
9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Duke Realty, 8711 River Crossing Blvd.
Putnam County
Greencastle
9/27/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Putnam County Public Library, 103 East Poplar Street
Wayne County
Richmond
9/26/2021: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., First English Lutheran Church, 2727 E Main St.
Jennings County
North Vernon
9/20/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar
Johnson County
Edinburgh
9/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Edinburgh Apostolic Tabernacle, 701 South Main Street
9/19/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Indiana Premium Outlets Edinburgh, 11622 NE Executive Dr Franklin
9/1/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Johnson County Public Library, 401 State Street
9/11/2021: 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Impact Christian Church, 2800 N. Graham Road Trafalgar
9/16/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Johnson County Public Library, 424 S. Tower Street Whiteland
9/13/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Grace Assembly of God, 6822 N US 31
Vigo County
Terre Haute
10/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar St
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. 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/RapidPa or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, 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 deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
