***Press Release***
Mobile and online tools help make donating blood and platelets more convenient
St Louis, Mo. (Nov. 20, 2017) — The holidays are known for the giving spirit and a hectic pace. This holiday season, the American Red Cross is sharing three ways to give the gift of life in less time.
At this time of year many regular blood and platelet donors delay giving due to busy schedules– but the need for blood remains. To help donors fit in a donation, the Red Cross offers three easy ways to make helping save lives faster and more convenient:
- RapidPass® – Donors can complete their pre-donation reading and health history questions online to save about 15 minutes at their donation. In September, RapidPass became available on mobile devices, giving donors the ability to complete their RapidPass from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
- Blood Donor App – Through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, users can find local blood drives and donation centers, schedule an appointment, receive appointment reminders and keep track of total blood donations – all from the palm of their hand.
- Online appointment scheduling – Donors can conveniently schedule an appointment and find tips for a successful blood or platelet donation at redcrossblood.org.
“The Red Cross is thankful for the generosity of donors who help keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products, but we know that the holiday activities that we cherish most can make it difficult for many regular donors to find a moment to donate this time of year,” said Joe Zydlo, external communications manager, Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. “We hope technologies like online appointment scheduling, the Blood Donor App and RapidPass will make it a little easier for donors to give more life for patients this holiday season.”
Patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions, and all blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply is available. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To learn more about RapidPass, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 20-Dec. 15
Flora– 11/22/2017: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Clay County Hospital, 911 Stacyburke Drive
Charleston– 12/4/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., EIU Student Union, 1720 7th Street 12/4/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Carl Sandberg Primary School, 1924 Reynolds Dr
Mattoon– 11/20/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., YMCA, 221 North 16th Street, P.O. Box 875 11/22/2017: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Douglas Rehab and Care, 3516 Powell Ln 11/24/2017: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Big Lots, 204 Charleston Avenue East 11/25/2017: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Wal-mart, 101 Dettro Dr. 11/27/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 10 Charleston Avenue 12/5/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 1903 Maple 12/13/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Blue Cross Blue Shield, 1100 Broadway
Oblong– 12/14/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Oblong High School, 700 South Range
Palestine– 11/27/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Palestine High School, 102 North Main Street
Robinson– 12/14/2017: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Crawford Memorial Hospital, 1000 North Allen
Toledo– 11/29/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Cumberland High School, 1496 Illinois Route 121
Beecher City– 12/11/2017: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Beecher City High School, 438 East State Highway 33
Dieterich– 12/14/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Dieterich High School, Church and Pine
Effingham– 11/20/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Elks Club, 2102 South Banker 11/22/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 11/23/2017: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 11/24/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 11/25/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 11/29/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 11/30/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/1/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/2/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/6/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/6/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Elks Club, 2102 South Banker 12/7/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/8/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/9/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/13/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/14/2017: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave 12/15/2017: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
Mason– 11/27/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mason Christian Church Annex, 624 North Route 37
Ramsey– 11/30/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ramsey Grade School, 610 West 6th Street
Saint Elmo– 12/11/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Mary Church Hall, Route 40
Vandalia– 11/21/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 South 3rd Street 11/28/2017: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Zimmerman’s Greenhouse, 1386 East 1050 Avenue
Centralia– 12/13/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, 9545 Shattuc Road
Iuka– 11/28/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Iuka Grade School, 405 S. Main
Kell– 11/29/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kell Fire Department, 201 3rd St
Odin– 12/8/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Odin Public School, 102 South Merritt Street
Patoka– 12/6/2017: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Patoka High School, 1220 Kinoka Road
Salem– 11/30/2017: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Kaskaskia College-Salem Education Center, 1475 West Whittaker
Sandoval– 12/1/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Sandoval High School, 859 West Missouri Street
Olney– 12/1/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Richland County High School, 1200 E Laurel 12/11/2017: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Carle Richland Memorial Hospital, 800 East Locust 12/15/2017: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Olney Fire Department, 501 North Walnut Street
How to donate blood
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.
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.
***Press release courtesy of the Red Cross***