-Tiffany Taylor, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages people to help meet the urgent need for blood and platelets by resolving to give blood this January – National Blood Donor Month.

Donating blood or platelets is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions – sometimes multiple times a week – until she underwent a liver transplant last January. 

“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”

The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.

The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood or platelets regularly, beginning in January. To encourage donations immediately, all those who come to donate by Jan. 6 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong in the new year is to host a Red Cross blood drive. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 2-31

Hutson Inc-John Deere, 2951 N. 600 W. Jasper, IN 47546
1/17/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

The Waters of Princeton, 1020 West Vine St. Princeton, IN 47670
1/2/2019: noon - 5 p.m.

Alexandrian Public Library, 115 W. 5th St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620
1/4/2019: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Free Methodist Church, 1155 Troy Road Washington, IN 47501
1/21/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1303 South Green River Road Evansville, IN 47715
1/13/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Methodist Hospital, 1305 North Elm Henderson, KY 42420
1/18/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Gibson General Hospital, 1808 Sherman Drive Princeton, IN 47670
1/4/2019: noon - 4 p.m.

Nancy Hanks Elementary, 19260 North State Road 162 Ferdinand, IN 47532
1/9/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Chrisney Elementary, 311 North Church St. Chrisney, IN 47611
1/11/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Dale United Methodist Church, 1 West Elm St. Dale, IN 47523
1/28/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

Lincoln Trail Elementary, 13726 Indiana 245 Lamar, IN 47550
1/31/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Luce Elementary School, 1057 North County Road 700 W. Richland, IN 47634
1/28/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 180 North Holiday Blvd. Santa Claus, IN 47579
1/20/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

Santa Claus United Methodist Church, 351 N. Holiday Blvd. Santa Claus, IN 47579
1/31/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Good Shepherd Catholic Church / School, 2301 North Stockwell Evansville, IN 47715
1/27/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

Henderson Community College, 2660 South Green St. Henderson, KY 42420
1/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714
1/2/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/4/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m
1/5/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/7/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/8/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m
1/9/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/11/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/12/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/15/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1/16/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/18/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/19/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m
1/21/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/22/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1/23/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/25/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/26/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/28/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
1/29/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1/30/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Faith Free Will Baptist Church, 303 North 5th St. Chandler, IN 47610
1/3/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

Knights of Columbus, 313 West Broadway Princeton, IN 47670
1/7/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger St. Huntingburg, IN 47542
1/15/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

Knights of Columbus, 319 East Main St. Washington, IN 47501
1/19/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Oncology Hematology Associates, 3699 Epworth Road Newburgh, IN 47630
1/22/2019: noon - 4 p.m.

St. Vincent, 3700 Washington Ave. Evansville, IN 47750
1/11/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Regency Properties, 380 North Cross Pointe Boulevard Evansville, IN 47715
1/2/2019: 1 - 5 p.m.

Deaconess Gateway Hospital, 4011 Gateway Boulevard Newburgh, IN 47630
1/14/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Ferdinand Elementary School, 402 East 8th St. Ferdinand, IN 47532
1/24/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Walmart, 4040 Newton St. Jasper,  IN 47546
1/28/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

First Christian Church, 4544 State Road 261 Newburgh, IN 47630
1/2/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Providence Mennonite Church, 47538 US 50 Montgomery, IN 47558
1/8/2019: 3 - 7 p.m.

R.S.V.P and Carver Senior Center, 504 SE 8th St. Evansville, IN 47713
1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Cathedral Health Care Center, 520 West 9th St. Jasper, IN 47546
1/14/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

New Hope Christian Church, 559 East 100 S. Washington, IN 47501
1/8/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Deaconess Hospital, 600 Mary St. Evansville, IN 47747
1/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

North Elementary School, 600 NE 6th St. Washington, IN 47501
1/21/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 601 Main St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620
1/23/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Boonville Library, 611 W Main St. Boonville, IN 47601
1/15/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6130 West St Joseph Road Evansville, IN 47720
1/6/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

Dixie United Methodist Church, 7033 Wheeler Road Corydon, KY 42406
1/5/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

First Baptist Church, 800 West Faith Boulevard  Princeton, IN 47670
1/29/2019: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Zion Baptist Church, 8158 Highway 351 Henderson, KY 42420
1/8/2019: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

St. Paul Catholic Church, 824 Jefferson St. Tell City, IN 47586
1/11/2019: 1- 5 p.m.

Bethel Mennonite Church, 9335 North 900 E. Odon, IN 47562
1/25/2019: 2 - 7:30 p.m.

Holy Family Cathoic Church, 950 E. Church Ave. Jasper, IN 47549
1/30/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Donorama, Eastland Mall, 800 N. Green River Road Evansville, IN 47715
1/18/2019: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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 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.

 

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