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American Red Cross has 25-gallon blood donor

Tue, Mar 30th 2021 07:00 am

Race to give blood for chance to win trip for 4 to 2022 Indianapolis 500

From the American Red Cross:

David Woodley of Lewiston just donated his 25th gallon of blood with The American Red Cross on Monday morning at Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1.

A press release stated, “Dave started donating with us in 1982, as his brother was in need of a transfusion. David continued his commitment to helping save lives with us.”

Help Red Cross Refuel Blood Supply

The American Red Cross is calling for donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood, to race to give blood and help refuel the blood supply.

This spring, the Red Cross is teaming up with INDYCAR to urge people to help keep the blood supply on track by donating blood or platelets. Schedule a donation appointment by downloading the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a special thanks, those who come to give blood or platelets April 1-15 will automatically be entered to win a VIP trip for four to the 2022 Indianapolis 500. The Red Cross will also automatically enter all who come to give in April for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Indy500.

The need for blood doesn’t take a pit stop. When seconds count in the race to save lives, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps most. More donors are needed now to help ensure hospitals are ready to respond to the needs of patients this month.

Every day – even during a pandemic – patients like Ashley Byers rely on lifesaving blood products. In April 2016, Byers experienced a life-threatening pregnancy complication and required 121 units of blood as doctors fought to save her life.

“Without blood donations, I would not have survived the medical emergency I experienced after giving birth to my daughter,” she said. “As was seen with my situation, a single emergency can cause a massive shortage of blood products. I, along with my family, am truly grateful to all of the blood donors, the American Red Cross and the amazing medical team who saved my life.”

The Red Cross also is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within two weeks through the Red Cross blood donor app or the donor portal at www.RedCrossBlood.org. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Give Blood

Upcoming blood donation opportunities (April 1-15) include:

•Amherst

  • April 1: 2-6 p.m., Amherst Alliance Church, Amherst Alliance Church, 3915 Millersport Highway
  • April 14: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • April 2: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, 885 Sweet Home Road
  • April 6: 1-6 p.m., Home2 Suites by Hilton, 3820 Ridge Lea Road
  • April 7: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • April 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

  • April 1: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Polish Cadets, 927 Grant St.
  • April 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
  • April 7: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., D'Youville College, College Center, 329 Porter Ave.
  • April 7: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Marian Professional Center, Marian Professional Center, 515 Abbott Road

•Kenmore

  • April 5: noon to 5 p.m., St. Andrew's Church Kenmore, Donovan Center, 1525 Sheridan Drive

•Lewiston

  • April 14: 1:30-6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St.

•Lockport

  • April 13: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

  • April 12: 1-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•North Tonawanda

  • April 3: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Nash Road Free Methodist Church, 958 Nash Road

•Ransomville

  • April 7: 1-6 p.m., Ransomville Fire Co., 2525 Youngstown Lockport Road

•Sanborn

  • April 12: 1-6 p.m., Pekin Fire Co., 3024 Upper Mountain Road

•Youngstown

  • April 13: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Red Brick School, 240 Lockport St.

About Blood Donation

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 emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit on Twitter at @RedCross.

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