PEORIA, Ill. (May 1, 2014) – With summer right around the corner, the American Red Cross asks eligible donors to make giving blood as much a part of their summer plans as barbecues, ball games and road trips. Donors of all blood types are needed.
"Blood donations often decline during the summer when schools are out of session and families are vacationing," said Shelly Heiden, community CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "But the need for blood is constant. Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment now to roll up a sleeve and give patients a chance for hope this summer and throughout the year."
To help kick off summer, those who present to give blood between May 24 and 26 will receive a Red Cross cooling towel while supplies last.
The Red Cross provides blood to approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Each day, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at these facilities.
Learn more and make an appointment to donate blood by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling
1-800-RED CROSS.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Clinton County
May 23 from 2-6 p.m. at Clinton Zion Lutheran Church, 439 3rd Ave. South in Clinton, Iowa Clinton
May 27 from 2-6 p.m. at Clinton Church of Christ, 210 N. 13th St. in Clinton, Iowa
Henry County
May 27 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 NW Second Ave. in Galva, Ill.
Lee County
May 20 from 12-4 p.m. at Borg Warner, 1350 Franklin Grove Road in Dixon, Ill.
May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Culver's, 1317 N. Galena Ave. in Dixon, Ill.
Mercer County
May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
Whiteside County
May 21 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 22 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.
May 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 31 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
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. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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