Share Red Cross blood donation stories this summer Twitter: Share a story and use the #SummerofStories hashtag. Facebook: Encourage friends to join in donating blood this summer and giving patients a summer of stories. Be sure to share your own donation experiences and pictures, too. Instagram: Share a story in a picture and tag it with the #SummerofStories hashtag. Website: Share your story on the Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org/summer.
Whether someone is among the 39 percent of the U.S. population with type O positive blood or the 2 percent with B negative, the American Red Cross is looking for eligible donors of all types to give blood this summer to help avert a shortage. Those with O negative, A negative and B negative are especially urged to donate, as their blood types are often in high demand because they can potentially be transfused to both Rh negative and positive patients. O negative is the universal blood type and can potentially be transfused to any patient. Vacations, activities and holidays contribute to a decrease in donations during the summer, but patients don’t get a break from needing blood. Visit the Summer of Stories campaign website, redcrossblood.org/summer, to make an appointment to donate, then share why you give blood and watch videos about people whose lives have been touched by donors.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
July 16 from 1-6 p.m. at YMCA West Suburban, 2420 N. 124th St. in Wauwatosa, Wis.
July 18 from 1-6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church , 6881 S. 51st St. in Franklin, Wis.
July 18 from 12-6 p.m. at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 Kenwood Blvd. in Milwaukee , Wis.
