During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply for patients in need.
Blood donors may be helping patients like 11-year-old Martin Mwita who has sickle cell disease. His body doesn’t produce enough healthy red cells to carry adequate oxygen through his body, so he relies on monthly transfusions to stabilize his health.
A diverse blood supply is important to ensure the needs of all patients are met. Red blood cells carry markers that determine one’s blood type, and some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups. Because blood from donors of the same ethnic background as the recipient is less likely to cause complications, the Red Cross must maintain a diverse blood supply to meet these diverse patient needs.
Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition such as sickle cell disease, a surgical procedure or a large-scale emergency, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives. Donors of all blood types are needed.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times.
Those who come out to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30 will receive a free haircut coupon via email, courtesy of Sport Clips Haircuts. The coupon is valid through Nov. 6, 2016, at participating Sport Clips locations, and donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.>
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
WI
Dodge
Lebanon
9/19/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, N572 County Road R
Lomira
9/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 300 Church St
Beaver Dam
9/26/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 311 W Mackie St
Hustisford
9/26/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church & School, 269 N Lake St
Beaver Dam
9/27/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 311 W Mackie St
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Fond du Lac
Oakfield
9/16/2016: 1:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Oakfield High School, 250 East Church Street
Rosendale
9/20/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 124 S Main St
Ripon
9/21/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ripon College, 300 Seward St
Fond du Lac
9/27/2016: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 500 Fond du Lac Ave
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Jefferson
Jefferson
9/27/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., East Elementary School, 120 S Sanborn Ave
Fort Atkinson
9/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 201 S Water St
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Kenosha
Kenosha
9/21/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Todd Wehr Center, 2001 Alford Park Drive
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Milwaukee
Milwaukee
9/16/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cardinal Stritch – Bonaventure Hall, 6801 N Yates Rd
9/21/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ronald Reagan High School, 4965 S 20th St
9/23/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Marquette Gymnasium, 1508 W. Clybourn Street
9/23/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Loving Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3909 W Clinton Ave
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Ozaukee
Port Washington
9/17/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 504 W Grand Ave
Cedarburg
9/29/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., St Francis Borgia Cath Church, 1375 Covered Bridge Rd
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Sheboygan
Sheboygan
9/16/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
9/23/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
9/30/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
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Walworth
East Troy
9/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., East Troy Bible Church, 2660 North St -Hwy 20
Whitewater
9/22/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitewater Armory, 146 W North St
Elkhorn
9/28/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Alternative High School, 400 County Rd H
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Waukesha
Pewaukee
9/20/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
9/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
Nashotah
9/23/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Nashotah House Theological Seminary – Refectory, 2777 Mission Rd
Brookfield
9/26/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brookfield Central High School, 16900 Gebhardt Rd
Pewaukee
9/27/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail Rd
9/29/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Blood Donation Center, 2220 Silvernail 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.