The American Red Cross is asking donors to book a time to give blood or platelets before busy fall schedules and holiday celebrations ramp up. When blood donations drop, so does the blood supply, making it extremely challenging to ensure blood is available when hospitals need it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Donors are needed to help ensure blood and platelets are always available and on the shelves for cancer patients and others who rely on transfusions for care.

By scheduling and keeping appointments in October, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank you for helping, all those who come to give October 1-31 will receive a $5.00 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See http://www.rcblood.org/boo for more information.

There will be a Blood Drive at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Avenue in Monticello, on Friday, October 21, 2022, from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Blood Drive Safety

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.

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.