The American Red Cross is calling for donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood, to give blood during April by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
This spring, the Red Cross is teaming up with INDYCAR® to urge people to help keep the blood supply on track by donating blood or platelets. As a special thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets April 1-15 will automatically be entered to win a VIP trip for four to the 2022 Indianapolis 500®. The Red Cross will also automatically enter all who come to give in April for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Indy500.
The need for blood doesn’t take a pit stop
When seconds count in the race to save lives, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps most. More donors are needed now to help ensure hospitals are ready to respond to the needs of patients this month.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Prineville
4/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Elks Lodge 1814, 151 N Main Street
4/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., St Joseph Catholic Church, 150 SE 1st Street, PO Box 1315
Bend
4/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hampton Inn, 730 SW Columbia St
4/1/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/2/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/5/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Elks Lodge Bend #1371, 63120 Boyd Acres Road
4/5/2021: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bend Parks & Recreation, 799 SW Columbia St
4/6/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/7/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/8/2021: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Immersion Brewing, 550 SW Industrial Way
4/9/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/9/2021: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cascade Village Shopping Center, 63455 N Hwy 97
4/9/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Eastmont Church, 62425 Eagle Rd
4/10/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/12/2021: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/13/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Father’s House, 61690 Pettigrew Road
4/13/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/14/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
4/15/2021: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Humane Society of Central Oregon, 61170 SE 27th
4/15/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
La Pine
4/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cascade Bible Church, 52410 Pine Dr
Redmond
4/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Latino Community Association of Central Oregon, 412 SW 8th St
4/6/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., LDS – Redmond OR Stake, 450 SW Rimrock
4/7/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Coastal Farm and Ranch Redmond, 3141 S Hwy 97
Sisters
4/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Sisters Community Hall, 301 SE Elm St
About blood donation
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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 cruzroja
