Rock 'n' roll up your sleeve: Give blood or platelets with the Red Cross

Donors have chance to win VIP trip to Graceland and more by coming to give in June

Submitted by the American Red Cross

Elvis Presley is known for being the first global rock ‘n’ roll icon. He was also a blood donor himself! While times have changed, the need for blood has not − donors can leave a lasting legacy themselves by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation with the American Red Cross.

In honor of the new Baz Luhrmann film, “Elvis,” all who come to give in the month of June will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP trip to Graceland for two, including round-trip airfare to Memphis; plus a three-night stay at The Guest House and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland; and a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar. Additionally, those who come to donate June 1-30 will also receive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.

Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/elvismovie.

It’s critically important the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply for patients this summer. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Final Days of COVID-19 Antibody Testing

All Red Cross blood, platelet and plasma donations are being tested for COVID-19 antibodies through June 3. Donors can learn if their donation has the antibody levels needed to potentially help COVID-19 patients with a weakened immune system.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 1-15:

Erie County

•Amherst

• June 1: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 4: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 8: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 10: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 15: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 22: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• June 23: 1-6 p.m., Main Transit Fire Department, 6777 Main St.
• June 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

• June 2: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Travelers Insurance, 60 Lakefront Blvd.
• June 3: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
• June 10: noon to 5 p.m., Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, 1 Lafayette Square
• June 15: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road
• June 15: noon to 6 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
• June 18: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion, 1100 Jefferson Ave.
• June 23: 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave.
• June 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Side Community Services, 161 Vermont St.

•Cheektowaga

• June 1: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 2: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 3: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 4: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 5: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 6: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 7: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 8: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 9: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 10: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 11: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 12: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 13: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 14: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 15: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 16: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 17: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 18: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 19: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 20: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 21: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 22: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 23: 12:15-7:15 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road
• June 24: 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., Union Road Blood Donation Center, 3601 Union Road

•East Aurora

• June 7: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.
• June 22: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Absolut Care – Aurora Park, 292 Main St.

•Grand Island

• June 21: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Knights of Columbus, 1841 Whitehaven Road

•Hamburg

• June 14: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 – Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road
• June 16: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

•Lackawanna

• June 7: noon to 5 p.m., VFW Post 898, 2909 South Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

• June 14: 1-5 p.m., Orchard Park American Legion Post 567, 5784 Ellis Road
• June 17: noon to 6 p.m., St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

•Tonawanda

• June 4: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Seneca

• June 21: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

Niagara County

•Lewiston

• June 15: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

• June 14: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Niagara Falls

• June 17: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seneca Niagara Resort & Casinos (hotel side), 310 Fourth St.
• June 17: 1-6 p.m., Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, 1900 Military Road

•North Tonawanda

• June 22: 1-6 p.m., Stephen Sikora Post American Legion, 950 Payne Ave.

Health Insights for Donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood donor app and the online donor portal at www.RedCrossBlood.org.

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 predonation 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.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit on Twitter at @RedCross.