Bend fares well in Red Cross City Blood Challenge
For the fifth consecutive year, the American Red Cross issued a challenge to cities in Oregon and Washington; sponsor a blood drive and help bolster the community blood supply when blood donations tend to decline.
A total of 29 cities stepped up to help patients in need and the City of Happy Valley won the challenge with 185 donors and 153 pints of blood collected. The Red Cross will present Happy Valley with the City Blood Challenge Trophy at their December 19 City Council meeting.
The 2017 Red Cross City Blood Challenge was held throughout the summer into the fall and collected more than 1,250 pints of blood from twenty-nine cities. Municipalities throughout Oregon and Washington participated, including; Albany, Ashland, Aumsville, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, Grants Pass, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hermiston, Independence, Lake Oswego, Lebanon, Medford, Milwaukie, Newberg, North Bend, Oregon City, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, Sherwood, St. Helens, Tigard, Umatilla and West Linn in Oregon and Longview, Pasco, and Vancouver in Washington.
Although Happy Valley had the most presenting donors and the most units collected, the cities of Bend and Lake Oswego were also recognized for achievements associated with their blood drives.
· Happy Valley — most presenting blood donors (185 donors) and most blood collected (153 pints)
· Bend — highest percentage of blood drive goal achieved at 138 percent, and 29 pints collected
· Lake Oswego — 2nd place most presenting blood donors (124) and 113 pints collected
“More than 3,700 lives were potentially saved because of City Challenge blood donors,” said Candace Horter, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “The need for blood is constant and thanks to the support of blood drive sponsors like Happy Valley we can continue to meet the needs of local patients every single day.”
Organizations interested in sponsoring a blood drive in Oregon and Washington can find more information at redcrossblood.org.
How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
