With fall underway, students at many high schools and colleges are rolling up their sleeves in more ways than one.
Every year, students nationwide join the American Red Cross as blood donors and blood drive sponsors, all in an effort to help hospital patients in need. Students coordinate blood drives throughout the academic year, with many blood drives concentrated in October and November, and then again in March and April. And student-run drives are sometimes open to the public—including alumni.
“Student donors and coordinators are extremely loyal to their schools and communities,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Blood drives are a great way to build school spirit, engage in public service, and make a difference to people who need blood for emergency or ongoing medical care. Students are terrific ambassadors for our life-saving cause, and are greatly appreciated by the hospitals and patients served through the American Red Cross.”
High schools and colleges sponsor about 19 percent of Red Cross blood drives in the coverage area of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Donors through these drives can range in age from 16 to 25, and give about 30 percent of blood collected in the parts of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio served by the Red Cross.
At many schools and colleges, annual blood drives are a long-standing tradition. On average, 93 out of 100 blood drives repeat year-after-year at high schools, and about 90 out of 100 at colleges and universities.
“Students are a major force in building and maintaining the blood supply,” said Whitman. “Their involvement in blood donation activities is one example of the important role this generation will play in America’s future.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Washington Evangelical Free Church in the gymnasium, located at 3805 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Oct. 3, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge in the Social Hall, located at 805 Elm St. in Valparaiso.
- Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 1507 Glendale Blvd. in Valparaiso.
- Friday, Oct. 7, 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, Oct. 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Union Fire & Rescue, located at 267 North 600 West in Valparaiso.
- Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Porter County Fairgrounds, located at 215 E. Division St. in Valparaiso. Please email jlsnow916@gmail.com to schedule your blood donation appointment. This blood drive is sponsored by the Horse and Rider Wellness Clinic.
- Monday, Oct. 10, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in the gymnasium, located at 704 West 700 North in Hobart.
- Friday, Oct. 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Washington Township Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 383 East SR 2 in Valparaiso. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
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 Indiana and Ohio), 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.