MADISON, Wis. —The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage.
The summer months are among the most challenging times of years to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. Many regular donors delay giving while they take vacation and participate in summer activities. The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break though.
Two summers ago, Kelly Griswold was involved in a life-threatening jet-ski accident while vacationing. She was airlifted to a hospital and underwent three surgeries over the course of two days. Griswold, a blood donor prior to the accident, suddenly knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of blood donations. “Without the support of people that can give blood, the ones who have needed it would not be here today – myself included.”
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days. In appreciation for helping to save lives, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
WI
Dodge
Waupun
8/18/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Edgewood Church, 201 Edgewood Dr
Beaver Dam
8/23/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., The Landmark at Charleston House, 104 Fakes Court
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Fond du Lac
Ripon
8/16/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 430 Griswold St
Fond du Lac
8/17/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 535 Stow St
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Jefferson
Watertown
8/22/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Watertown Public Library, 100 South Water Street
Fort Atkinson
8/24/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Dwight Foster Public Library, 209 Merchants Ave
Waterloo
8/26/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 387 S Monroe
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Kenosha
Kenosha
8/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5601 Washington Rd
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Milwaukee
Milwaukee
8/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lutheran Chapel of the Cross, 3353 S. Whitnall
8/17/2016: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., InterContinental, 139 E Kilbourn Ave
Wauwatosa
8/23/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., YMCA W Suburban Branch, 2420 N 124th St
Cudahy
8/24/2016: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Prime Financial Credit Union, 5656 S Packard Ave
Milwaukee
8/24/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 West Center Street
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Ozaukee
Port Washington
8/23/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St Matthew Lutheran Church, 1525 N Grant St
Grafton
8/24/2016: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kapco Metal Stamping, 983 Badger Circle
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Racine
Union Grove
8/18/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Union Grove Christian School, 417 15th St
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Sheboygan
Sheboygan
8/19/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
8/26/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
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Walworth
Lake Geneva
8/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St Francis De Sales, 148 W Main St
Elkhorn
8/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sperino’s Monte Carlo Room, 720 N. Wisconsin St.
Delavan
8/29/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W Geneva
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Washington
West Bend
8/17/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., West Bend City Hall, 1115 S Main Street
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Waukesha
Pewaukee
8/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Waukesha
8/17/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Wisconsin Waukesha, 1500 N University Dr
Pewaukee
8/18/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Delafield
8/19/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Delafield City Hall, 500 Genesee St
Pewaukee
8/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., American Red Cross Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Road
North Prairie
8/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church, S50 W33042 Town Rd GE
Oconomowoc
8/22/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., YMCA at Pabst Farms, 1750 Valley Rd
Mukwonago
8/23/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mukwonago Community Library, 511 Division St
Pewaukee
8/23/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Oconomowoc
8/25/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 South St
Pewaukee
8/25/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Waukesha
8/25/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Campus Center, 100 N East Ave
Hartland
8/26/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hartland Public Library, 110 E Park Ave
Pewaukee
8/30/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Muskego
8/31/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Muskego Public Library, S73 W16663 Janesville Rd
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.
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.