Red Cross: Donors of all blood types, races and ethnicities needed
BOISE, Idaho. (Sept. 23, 2019) — The American Red Cross urges people of all races and ethnicities to give blood or platelets to help increase the diversity of the blood supply.
The vast majority of blood types fall into one of the major blood groups. However, for patients with rare blood types or those who receive regular blood transfusions, blood must be matched closely – beyond the primary A, B, O and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of developing complications from transfusion therapy. The best match may be someone of the same racial or ethnic group.
Eight-year-old AJ Torres requires blood transfusions to treat complications from sickle cell disease, the most common genetic disease in the U.S. The disease is most common among people of African descent or Latino descent, like AJ, and can sometimes cause small blood vessels to become blocked. Diverse donors are important to ensuring AJ has the blood products he needs to regain his health.
“Within minutes of receiving a blood transfusion, I watch his strength be restored, pain vanish and energy return. Soon he transforms back to himself – a rambunctious little boy,” said his mom, Caira Torres. “If an 8-year-old can withstand a needle, so can you.”
Donors of all blood types, as well as all races and ethnicities, are needed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 23-Oct. 15:
Ada
Boise
9/26/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Luke’s South Tower, 190 E Bannock
9/27/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 5 p.m., Boise Public Library, 715 S Capitol Blvd
9/28/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boise Eagles #115, 7025 Overland Road
10/1/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 6 p.m., YMCA Discovery Place, 5959 N Discovery Way
10/9/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Idaho Housing & Finance Association, 565 W Myrtle
10/9/2019: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Axiom Parkcenter, 801 E Parkcenter Blvd
10/11/2019: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Riverview Rehabilitation, 3550 W Americana Terrace
10/14/2019: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Boise State University, 1910 W University Drive
10/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Whole Foods Market, 401 S Broadway Street
Eagle
10/5/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Eagle Fire Station, 966 E Iron Eagle
10/11/2019: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., LDS Star Stake, 1133 North Park Lane
Kuna
10/11/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Avalon Building, 224 E Avalon
Meridian
9/24/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Mecca Gym, 750 S Progress Ave #125
9/26/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., LDS Church, 2555 S Stoddard Road
9/30/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tech Lane Meridian, 1550 S Tech Lane
10/2/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mountain West Bank – The Village, 1660 N. Eagle Road
10/3/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Idaho State University Meridian, 1311 E Central Drive
10/3/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., AT&T Connect Wireless, 1520 W Chinden Blvd, STE 100
10/4/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Luke’s Meridian, 520 S Eagle Road
10/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Meridian United Methodist Church, 235 E Pine
10/10/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Guild Mortgage, 1810 S Eagle Road
Star
10/8/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., LifeSpring Christian Church, N Star Road
Adams
Council
9/23/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Council Senior Center, 201 Moser Avenue
Boise
Idaho City
10/4/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Idaho City Christian Center, 3853 ID-21
Canyon
Caldwell
10/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Linden Building, 11792 Linden
Nampa
9/23/2019: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnson Sports Center, 313 E Dewey, Johnson Sports Center
10/2/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Real Life Community Church, 120 14th Avenue S.
10/3/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pioneer Title, 100 10th Avenue S
10/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 1829 W Iowa Avenue
10/4/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., CLARITY CREDIT UNION, 1822 N. Midland Blvd.
10/11/2019: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Hispanic Cultural Center, 315 Stampede Drive
10/15/2019: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Roosevelt Building, 11288 Roosevelt Ave.
Elmore
Mountain Home
9/30/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Hall, 515 E 2nd South St
Gem
Sweet
10/1/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sweet Community, Sweet Ola Highway
Valley
Cascade
9/25/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Hall, Mill Street and Hwy 55
McCall
9/24/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Northfork Lodge, 200 Scott Street
10/1/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St. Luke’s McCall Medical Center, 100 Forest Street
10/2/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Northfork Lodge, 200 Scott Street
Washington
Cambridge
9/30/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Washington County Fair Grounds, 125 E. Central
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.
