Faith Groups Team with Red Cross for ‘Power in the Blood’

Summer campaign to boost blood supply RedCrossLogo

Faith groups across the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region will team with the American Red Cross this summer with the aim of collecting 1,000 pints of blood in a blood donor campaign called “Power in the Blood.”

Power in the Blood is an interfaith initiative bringing together groups of all beliefs to help the community maintain a potentially lifesaving supply of donated blood. Last year, 32,670 pints of blood were collected at churches and faith groups, potentially saving 98,010 lives in the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. Power in the Blood encourages faith groups to join together during the summer months to help save even more lives this year.

The campaign is strategically scheduled in the summer because the season tends to be the most challenging time for blood collections. This campaign involves any faith organization in the over 50 counties of the Indiana-Ohio Region that hosts a blood drive in the months of June, July or August, which contributes to the overall blood collection goal for the campaign. This campaign is vital to help the Red Cross collect and maintain an adequate blood supply.

“Faith groups generally are already highly active during the summer months and often look for additional ways to serve the community,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “This program provides an opportunity for people of various beliefs to work together toward a common goal to the benefit of thousands of patients who need blood transfusions.”

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. This year, as many as four million patients will require blood transfusions, yet only a fraction of those eligible actually give. Blood must be readily available – on hospital blood bank shelves ready for transfusion – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“Power in the Blood gives you the chance to put the power of faith into action and help save lives,” Whitman said. Those interested in signing up their group to participate, or who want to give blood at a blood drive can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

  • Tuesday, June 1, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 202 W. Church St. in Hebron.
  • Thursday, June 3, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Meeting Hall, located at 106 E. 1100 N. in Chesterton.
  • Friday, June 4, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Porter Hospital Valparaiso Campus in the Patio Room, located at 814 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
  • Saturday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Union Fire & Rescue, located at 267 N. 600 W. in Valparaiso.
  • Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Washington Evangelical Free Church in the gymnasium, located at 3805 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
  • Monday, June 7, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 2610 N. Campbell in Valparaiso.
  • Monday, June 7, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at Task Force Tips, located at 3701 Innovation Way in Valparaiso.
  • Wednesday, June 9, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at Porter County Expo Center, located at 215 E. Division St. in Valparaiso. This is a Battle of the Badges and Fallen Officers blood drive.
  • Friday, June 11, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Liberty Bible Church in the basement, located at 824 N. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton. Come to donate and receive an American Red Cross water bottle.
  • Sunday, June 13, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Nativity of our Savior in the Fellowship Hall, located at 2949 Willowcreek Road in Portage. This is a Fallen Officers blood drive.
  • Monday, June 14, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the kitchen and Social Hall, located at 6540 Central Ave. in Portage.
  • Tuesday, June 15, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Duneland Health and Wellness in the Fitness Center, located at 810 Michael Drive in Chesterton.

How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1 -800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.