Honor the History, Join the Giving: March is Red Cross Month

Community members encouraged to give blood

Years can be counted. Timelines can be drawn. But the number of lives affected throughout the history of the American Red Cross is boundless.

Each spring, the President of the United States acknowledges the reach of the Red Cross through an official proclamation that declares March as Red Cross Month. It’s a time, Red Cross officials say, to recognize the work of current volunteers, and to encourage more community members to donate blood and become involved in the various service areas that help change lives.

‘”We touch lives down the street, across the country and around the world,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “And it’s your support that allows us to be there every day for the millions of people who depend on us during their time of need.”

In 1881, 60-year-old Clara Barton launched the American Red Cross based on a European movement that provided relief and protection to wounded soldiers. Barton opened the first Red Cross chapter in Dansville, New York, and within the year, the organization responded to its first large-scale disaster in Michigan. In 1889, the Johnstown flood called for the organization’s largest response yet, with volunteers providing food, shelter and medical care to 25,000 victims.

Now, 131 years later, the Red Cross continues to help individuals and families prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Red Cross Month celebrates the services and volunteers in areas like blood donation, disaster relief, health and safety training, and support to military members and their families. The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region is among 36 Red Cross Blood Regions nationwide, and contributes to collecting more than 6 million units of blood from about 3.5 million blood donors each year.

“Whatever way you give – be it through blood donation, volunteerism or financial contribution – you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to change lives,” said Sharyn Whitman. “Without people like you, there would be no American Red Cross.”

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

• Monday, March 5, from noon until 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in the gymnasium, located at 3401 N. Valparaiso St. in Valparaiso.
  
• Monday, March 5, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the Social Hall, located at 6540 Central Ave. in Portage.
  
• Tuesday, March 6, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Hebron High School in the gymnasium balcony, located at 509 S. Main St. in Hebron. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
  
• Friday, March 9, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Portage in the Fellowship Hall, located at 2637 McCool Road in Portage.
  
• Friday, March 9, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Portage, located at 3100 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Please email egonzalez@comhs.org to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Valparaiso Firefighters Local 1124 in the Union Hall, located at 255 Evans Ave. in Valparaiso. Please call (219) 576-3904 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Monday, March 12, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila in the Catholic Student Center, located at 1604 Lincolnway in Valparaiso.
  
• Monday, March 12, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, located at 162 W. Lincolnway in Valparaiso.
  
• Tuesday, March 13, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness in the Fitness Center, located at 810 Michael Drive in Chesterton.
  
• Wednesday, March 14, from 8:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Washington Township High School in the Library, located at 381 East SR 2 in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a Sports First Aid Kit.
  
• Wednesday, March 14, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Arnell Motors, located at 241 Melton Road in Burns Harbor. Please email rvenhuizen@arnellmotors.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
  
• Wednesday, March 14, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Heartland Christian Center in the Goin Room, located at 170 South SR 49 in Valparaiso.

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 supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission

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