Time to Share, Time to Care: Donate Blood

American Red Cross seeks donors to help meet holiday need

You can honor a uniquely American holiday by giving something that’s uniquely you.

By donating blood this Thanksgiving, you’ll help ensure that blood is available for patients in need, and honor the spirit of giving that surrounds the start of the holiday season.

“When you donate blood this time of year, you can take pride in knowing someone is extremely thankful for your act of giving,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Because of you, someone’s mother, father, child or friend may have a chance to spend another holiday with people they love.”

Every day, patients across the U.S. need more than 39,000 units of blood to treat emergency and ongoing medical conditions. Patients depend on blood for cancer treatments, scheduled surgeries, emergency or accident care, as well as ongoing needs related to serious diseases like sickle cell.

While all blood types are needed, the demand for type O blood is great since type O can be transfused to patients with other blood types like A, B and AB. While type O positive can be transfused to patients with any positive blood type, type O negative can be transfused to anyone with any blood type, making it the type most needed in emergencies when a patient’s blood type isn’t known.

“At the American Red Cross, we’re thankful for every person who helps give someone a second chance at life by donating blood,” said Whitman. “While blood is needed year-round, it holds special meaning during the holidays since you’re giving something back to the community that truly comes from within.”

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

• Tuesday, Nov. 16, from noon until 6 p.m. at Valparaiso University in Harre Union Ballrooms B & C, located at 1509 Campus Drive in Valparaiso. Come to donate and be entered into a drawing for a $150 shopping spree. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “valpo” to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bailly Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 800 S. Fifth St. in Chesterton. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
  
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 7:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at Chesterton High School in the gymnasium, located at 2125 S. 11th St. in Chesterton. Come to donate and receive a t-shirt.
  
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Arnell Motors, located at 241 Melton Road in Burns Harbor. Please email seaton@arnellmotors.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Thursday, Nov. 18, from noon until 6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Meeting Hall, located at 106 E. 1100 N. in Chesterton.
  
• Friday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Portage in the Fellowship Hall, located at 2637 McCool Road in Portage.
  
• Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County in the Small Gymnasium, located at 354 Jefferson St. in Valparaiso.
  
• Monday, Nov. 22, from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at John Simatovich Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 424 W. 500 N. in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Porter County Career Center in the Health Education Classrooms, located at 1005 N. Franklin St. in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a t-shirt.
  
• Monday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the Social Hall, located at 6540 Central Ave. in Portage.
  
• Monday, Nov. 29, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA, located at 3100 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Please email Steve.Beach@proterhealth.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Duneland Health and Wellness in the Fitness Center, located at 810 Michael Drive in Chesterton.
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at The Gathering Place in the Meeting Room, located at 131 N. Main St. in Hebron.

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.