NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 15, 2015) – This January, during National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to roll up their sleeves to give blood to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.
Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January to not only honor blood and platelet donors, but also to help increase donations during the winter months. Maintaining a sufficient blood supply for patients is difficult at this time of year because extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout.
Karla Essmiller became a blood donor in college, but the importance of giving blood hit home when several family members had medical emergencies. “It only takes once sitting in a hospital, praying that your loved one will live through the day, to know how thankful you are for every single thing done to help them,” she said. “Donating blood is a simple gift that I can make that may help up to three people live another day. That makes me feel like a hero.”
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B negative and A negative. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Jan. 1-3, 2016, will get a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
- Lincoln Hills United Methodist Church, 1598 West State Rd 64 English, IN 47118 — 1/9/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Walmart, 2363 Hwy 135 N. Corydon, IN 47112 — 1/4/2016: 2 – 7 p.m.
- First Capital Christian Church, 305 Oliver St. Corydon, IN 47112 — 1/4/2016: 3 – 8 p.m.
- Old Capitol United Methodist Church, 141 W. Heidelberg Rd NW Corydon, IN 47112 — 1/6/2016: 3 – 7 p.m.
- Lucas Oil, 3199 Harrison Way NW Corydon, IN 47112 — 1/13/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, 11999 Casino Center Drive S.E. Elizabeth, IN 47117 — 1/5/2016: 1- 6 p.m.
- South Central High School, 6675 E. Hwy.11 S.E Elizabeth, IN 47117 — 1/13/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Palmyra United Methodist Church, 14170 Greene St. NE Palmyra, IN 47164 — 1/15/2016: 1 – 6 p.m.
- Unity Chapel United Methodist Church, 1760 Lost Creek Road N.W. Ramsey, IN 47166 — 1/11/2016: 2 – 7 p.m.
- The Peoples Bank, 100 North Main St. Brownstown IN 47220 — 1/15/2016: 1 – 5 p.m.
- National Guard Armory Seymour, 1925 1st Ave. Seymour, IN 47274 — 1/10/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Ivy Tech Community College, 590 Ivy Tech Drive Madison, IN 47250 — 1/13/2016: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Walmart, 2410 Hwy 3 N North Vernon, IN 47265 — 1/2/2016: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Netshape Technologies, 596 W. Oak St. Campbellsburg, IN 47108 — 1/7/2016: 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- First Christian Church, 305 East Walnut St. Salem, IN 47167 — 1/8/2016: 1 – 7 p.m.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-
800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.
Blood donors can now 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, prior
to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass
and follow the instructions on the site.
