Red Cross urges blood donation to maintain supply amid pandemic
(Jan. 25, 2021) — The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.
Every day there are thousands of patients who rely on lifesaving blood donations – people like Leslie Johnson. In 2005, a farming accident left Johnson with broken bones and massive bleeding. In the first 24 hours after the accident, she received 10 units of blood and platelets. Additional transfusions and surgeries followed.
Johnson’s high school-age daughter, Emily, hosted a blood drive last semester because she recognizes the role of blood in helping save her mom’s life. “If blood had not been available when she needed it, she might not be here today. I might not have had my mom growing up. It’s my honor to be able to promote blood donation and help pay it forward to others in need.”
As Leslie Johnson faces additional surgeries to address ongoing injuries from the accident, she may need more blood transfusions.
“It’s so important, especially as we navigate this pandemic, to make sure there is blood available,” said Emily. “Blood is such a meaningful gift to give.”
One heartwarming gesture deserves another
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading 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.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – 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 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 1-15
IN
Boone
Whitestown
2/20/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Whitestown Municipal Complex, 6201 Veterans Drive
Zionsville
2/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pearson Automotive Tennis Club, 4560 S. CR 875 E.
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Delaware
Muncie
1/30/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Delaware County Fairgrounds, 1210 N. Wheeling Ave.
2/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., YMCA Northwest, 3500 N. Chadam Lane
2/2/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Delaware County Fairgrounds, 1210 N. Wheeling Ave.
2/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Delaware County Fairgrounds, 1210 N. Wheeling Ave.
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Hamilton
Carmel
2/16/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., 502 East Event Centre, 502 East Carmel Drive
Fishers
2/18/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
2/25/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
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Hancock
Greenfield
1/29/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brandywine Church, 1551 E New Rd
2/7/2021: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. James Lutheran Church, 1741 S. State St.
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Hendricks
Brownsburg
1/26/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Connection Pointe Christian Church, 1800 North Green Street
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lincoln Elementary School, 4807 Bulldog Way
2/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Arbuckle Acres-Bundy Lodge, 7024 Lucas Drive
Plainfield
1/28/2021: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Shops @ Perry Crossing, 2420 City Center Way
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Madison
Anderson
1/28/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Madison Park Church of God, 6607 Providence Drive
2/3/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Madison Park Church of God, 6607 Providence Drive
2/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Anderson University, 1526 University Blvd.
2/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lowes Home Improvement, 3335 S Scatterfield Road
2/9/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 911 S Rangeline Rd
Pendleton
1/25/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church Pendleton, 225 West State Street
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Marion
Indianapolis
1/27/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Indiana, 1433 North Meridian Street
2/3/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
2/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 1510 North Meridian
2/12/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Duke Realty, 600 E 96th St
2/17/2021: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana State Capitol, 200 West Washington Street
2/17/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Indiana, 1433 North Meridian Street
2/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., North Willow Farms, 1635 Brewster Road
2/21/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Arthur R. Baxter YMCA, 7900 Shelby Street
2/24/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Post 500, 1926 Georgetown Road
2/27/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abundant Life Church, 7606 East 82nd St.
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Putnam
Greencastle
2/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Putnam County Public Library, 103 East Poplar Street
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Randolph
Winchester
1/29/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Randolph County YMCA, 1521 E Washington St.
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Wayne
Richmond
2/11/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Richmond Senior Community Center, 1600 S. 2nd Street
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Bartholomew
Columbus
1/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Christian Church/Youth Center, 531 5th St
2/5/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street
2/10/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church Columbus, 618 8th Street
2/13/2021: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Commons, 300 Washington Street
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Brown
Nashville
1/27/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 East State Road 46
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Decatur
Greensburg
2/11/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., YMCA Greensburg, 1 YMCA Way
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Greene
Linton
2/11/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Linton Public Library, 95 SE 1st St
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Jennings
North Vernon
2/15/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Senior Citizens Center, 515 Buckeye Street
2/26/2021: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Jennings County High School, 800 West Walnut Street
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Johnson
Greenwood
1/25/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vineyard Community Church, 512 S Madison Ave
2/23/2021: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnson County Library White River Branch, 1664 Library Blvd.
2/25/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Church of Greenwood, 1477 W Main Street
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Lawrence
Bedford
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1515 20th Street
2/18/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 2202 M Street
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Martin
Loogootee
2/4/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Loogootee United Methodist Church, 208 W. Main Street
Shoals
2/3/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shoals Christian Church, 602 N. Main Street
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Monroe
Bloomington
1/28/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monroe Convention Center, 302 S College Ave
2/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grace Baptist Church – Bloomington, 2320 N Smith Pike
2/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
2/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E 17th St
2/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monroe Convention Center, 302 S College Ave
2/17/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monroe Convention Center, 302 S College Ave
2/17/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
2/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road
2/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Community RSMO, 401 North Morton Street
Ellettsville
2/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ellettsville Christian Church, 731 Independence St
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Morgan
Camby
2/14/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Grace Church, 4172 Allison Road
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Owen
Spencer
1/25/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Owen County Fairgrounds, 364 S East St
2/19/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Owen Valley High School, 622 W. Hwy 46
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Vigo
Terre Haute
1/27/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Midwest Communications, Inc, 3912 S US Hwy 41
About blood donation
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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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