You can help the Red Cross ‘fill the missing types’
The American Red Cross is urging blood and platelet donors to fill the missing types this summer by making an appointment to give blood and help ensure blood is available for patients.
Local donors can do their part to fill the missing types at the Red Cross Central and Eastern Oregon Board blood drive on Thursday, June 20, from 1-6 p.m. at the Red Cross Bend Blood Donation Center at 815 SW Bond Street, Suite 110 in Bend.
The Red Cross launched its Missing Types campaign this summer in an effort to raise awareness of the constant and often urgent need for lifesaving blood. Businesses, brands and individuals temporarily removed the letters A, B and O from their names and logos. Those letters represent the main blood groups – and when they disappear, you notice. Unfortunately, when A, B, O or AB blood types are missing from hospital shelves, patient care may suffer.
“Right now, just 3 out of every 100 people in the U.S. donate blood in the U.S. — and that’s not enough,” said Shon Keely, executive director of the Red Cross Central and Eastern Oregon Chapter. “The summer months can be incredibly challenging for blood collection. The Red Cross encourages everyone who is able to make an appointment, roll up a sleeve and help keep the shelves stocked.”
As a thank-you, all who come to donate will be entered to win raffle prizes from Sunriver Resort & Golf, The Pour House Grill, Bend Pizza Kitchen and Dutch Bros. Coffee!
Donors can make an appointment to give by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How to donate blood
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 pre-donation 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.
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.
