The American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage.
Right now, more donors are needed to help hospital patients.
During this critical time, the Red Cross and NFL are thrilled to offer all those who come to donate an opportunity to receive a special thank you this month.
Those who come to donate blood or platelets this January will be automatically entered to win two tickets to next year’s
Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.*
In addition, those who come to give January 1-20, will also be
automatically entered to win the Big Game at Home package for an awesome viewing experience safely at home, with a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card to put toward food and
fun.
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.
“Blood and plasma donors who have recovered from COVID-19 may have the power to help critically ill patients currently battling the virus,” said Cyndi Dahl, regional donor services
executive for the Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region.
“With hospital distributions for convalescent plasma increasing about 250% since October, these generous donations are vital
in helping to save lives throughout the winter – a time that is often challenging to collect enough blood products for those in need.”
As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product. Like “special teams” units on the field,
COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to make a game-changing difference in the lives of COVID-19 patients. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their plasma that could provide a patient’s immune system the boost it needs to beat the virus.
How those recovered from COVID-19 can help
There are two ways COVID-19 survivors can help – through a convalescent plasma donation or by simply giving whole blood.
Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-
19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients. Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays, game days or a pandemic – blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. to help
patients battling injury and illness.
Blood donation safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel
well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their 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 (Jan. 5-31, 2021):
Calvary Baptist Church, 2632 Michigan Road Madison, IN 47250
1/21/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
First Capital Christian Church, 305 Oliver St. Corydon, IN 47112
1/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
First Christian Church, 305 East Walnut St. Salem, IN 47167
1/8/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran, 605 South Walnut Seymour, IN 47274
1/19/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ivy Tech Community College, 590 Ivy Tech Drive Madison, IN 47250
1/28/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jefferson County Battle of the Badges-Clifty Inn, 1650 Clifty Hollow Road Madison, IN 47250
1/7/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Lincoln Hills United Methodist Church, 1598 West State Rd 64 English, IN 47118
1/16/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lucas Oil, 3199 Harrison Way N.W. Corydon, IN 47112
1/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Marengo Cave, 400 E. State Rd. 64 Marengo, IN 47140
1/20/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
North Madison Christian Church, 1400 E. S.R. 62 Madison, IN 47250
1/20/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Old Capitol United Methodist Church, 141 W. Heidelberg Rd N. W. Corydon, IN 47112
1/28/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Palmyra United Methodist Church, 14170 Greene St. N.E. Palmyra, IN 47164
1/15/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
2020-APL-01656
Southern Hills Church, 1645 IN-135 Salem, IN 47167
1/6/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2500 St. Mary's Drive Lanesville, IN 47136
1/25/2021: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
About blood donation
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.
