The American Red Cross is partnering with Radio Bloomington to host the 12th annual Radio Bloomington Summer Blood Drive on July 20 and Aug. 3 to help prevent a shortage and ensure patients have the blood products they need this summer.
- The blood drive is from 12-6 p.m. at Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, located at 3302 E. Empire St. in Bloomington.
- All presenting donors will receive a coupon for a free gondola sandwich, compliments of Avanti’s. The coupon is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
The Radio Bloomington Summer Blood Drive comes at a crucial time since blood donations tend to decline in the summer months as schools are out and families are enjoying vacations.
- Patients can’t take a summer break from needing lifesaving blood. The need is constant.
- Rolling up a sleeve to donate on July 20 or Aug. 3 may help give hospital patients in need the chance to spend more summers with loved ones.
- Donors of all blood types are currently needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to donate at the Radio Bloomington Summer Blood Drive. Walk-ins are also welcome.
- To make an appointment to donate, please download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
- Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Each day, the Red Cross needs 15,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospital and transfusion centers across the country.
- Donated blood is perishable. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just five days, so they must constantly be replenished. There is no substitute for donated blood.
- Blood and platelets are needed for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
