Help save lives at the American Red Cross blood drive on December 19

BLOOMINGTON – Help save lives at the American Red Cross blood drive hosted by IU Health Bloomington from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Indiana University Health Sciences Building, 2631 East Discovery Parkway in Bloomington.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter code IUHBLOOM to schedule an appointment.

“Blood and platelets are essential for saving lives every day in hospitals across the nation,” said Rhonda Grimm, MT(ASCP), IU Health Bloomington Laboratory–Blood Bank Technical Specialist. “They can’t be manufactured, which is why we appreciate every donation.”

IU Health Bloomington has used more than 2,800 units of red blood cells, 280 units of platelets, and 320 units of plasma so far in 2025.

“Individuals battling cancer, car accident victims, and surgery patients are just some of those who have benefited from blood donors here in Bloomington,” said Grimm. “They may not know the donors’ names, but those generous donations make a world of difference.”

Below are a few more blood facts from the American Red Cross:

Blood and/or platelets are needed every 2 seconds by someone in the United States.
More than one life can be saved with each donation.
Only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.

The American Red Cross currently has a critical need for blood donors and is offering an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last to donors who give blood from December 19 to January 4.

Call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter code IUHBLOOM to schedule an appointment.