(UNDATED) – In times of need, people come together to support one another. The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling the disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their t-shirt.
How to help
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May by downloading the free 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.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face-covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers, and employees.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 15-31:
- Berea Mennonite Church, 216 South Main St. Cannelburg, IN 47519 on May 21, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Bethel Mennonite Church, 9335 North 900 East Odon, IN 47562 on May 22, from 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Simon J. Graber Complex, 9335 North 900 East Odon, IN 47562 on May 25 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Washington Community Blood Drive, 501 Burkhart Dr. Washington, IN 47501 on May 29, from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger St. Huntingburg, IN 47542 on May 19, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Schnellville Community Club, 7855 East Market St. Schnellville, IN 47580 on May 28, from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Knights of Columbus, 313 West Broadway Princeton, IN 47670 on May 18, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Schergens Center, 1140 31st St. Tell City, IN 47586 on May 21 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- St. Matthews Catholic Church, 421 Mulberry St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620 on May 31, from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- St. Joseph Parish Center, 214 South Wallace St. Dale, IN 47523 on May 27 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714 on May 15 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on May 16 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on May 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., on May 19 from 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., on May 20 from 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., on May 22 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on May 23 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on May 25 from 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., on May 26 from 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., on May 27 from 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., on May 28 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., on May 29 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on May 31 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 5501 Washington Ave. Evansville, IN 47715 on May 31 from 8 a.m. – noon
- Crossroads Christian Church, 10800 Lincoln Ave. Newburgh, IN 47630, on May 15 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 625 Frame Road Newburgh, IN 47630 on May 17th from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Deaconess Women’s Hospital, 4199 Gateway Blvd. Newburgh, IN 47630 on May 27 from 8 a.m. – noon
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.
