Make giving blood and helping to save lives part of your Thanksgiving tradition this year at the annual Give Thanks, Give Life blood drive, sponsored by the Red Cross Southwestern Indiana Chapter. -Lindsay English

 

The drive will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 26 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the American Red Cross Southwestern Indiana Chapter building, located at 29 Stockwell Road in Evansville.

 

Food from a variety of restaurants will be served throughout the drive including Donut Bank, Olive Garden, Pie Pan Restaurant, and Fazoli’s. Everyone who comes to donate will receive a Red Cross potholder stuffed with special celebrity chef recipes.

 

Appointments are strongly encouraged for this drive. Schedule your appointment today by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, visiting redcrossblood.org or by downloading the free blood donor app today. Use sponsor code: Give Thanks.

 

Holiday activities often conflict with donation appointments for many regular donors, creating a greater need for donations during the winter months. The Red Cross urges donors who have made a commitment to donate during the holiday period to keep their appointments. Each appointment kept, and each donation given, offers hope to a patient in need, who are spending the holiday season in the hospital.

 

The need for blood is constant. Did you know the Red Cross collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply each year and that hospital patients need about 44,000 units of blood each day? Giving blood is an easy way to impact the community and make an impact in someone’s life. Just one blood donation can help save up to three lives.

 

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.

 

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 

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