Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to help maintain a diverse supply
(Sept. 25, 2017) — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need.
Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so a diverse blood supply is important to meeting the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population.
Patients who need repeated transfusions, like 11-year-old Tymia McCullough who has sickle cell disease, must have blood that is matched very closely. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.
Donors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as all blood types, are needed to help
patients fight sickle cell disease, alpha thalassemia and other illnesses. Make 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 Oct. 1-15
Bountiful
10/7/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saint Olaf Catholic Church, 1800 South Orchard Drive
10/9/2017: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., South Davis Community Hospital, 401 South 400 East
10/11/2017: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful Val Verda Stake, 2633 South 50 West
10/12/2017: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful Stone Creek Stake, 990 North Chapel Drive
Clearfield
10/11/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., ATK, Freeport Center Bldg. C-14
Kaysville
10/13/2017: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kaysville Stake, 1505 Whispering Meadow Lane
Layton
10/2/2017: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/3/2017: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/4/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/5/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/5/2017: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton East Stake, 1325 E. Cherry Lane
10/6/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/7/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/9/2017: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/10/2017: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/11/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/12/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/12/2017: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Northridge Church Street Chapel, 2510 North Church Street
10/13/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
10/14/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
Syracuse
10/12/2017: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bluff Ridge, 535 West 2700 South
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Marriott Slaterville
10/14/2017: 10 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1339 W 400 N
Ogden
10/4/2017: 12 p.m. - 4:15 p.m., Capstone Nutrition, 900 S. Depot Drive
10/6/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Weber County Sheriff's Office, 721 West 12th St.
10/13/2017: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Smith's - North Ogden, 2434 North 400 East
West Haven
10/5/2017: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Haven Utah Stake, 4700 West 3300 South
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 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact <insert local contact information > or visit rdcrss.org/driver.
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.
