Be Extraordinary: Donate Blood or Volunteer

blood-driveNational Volunteer Week slated for April 21 through 27

Ordinary people can accomplish some extraordinary things when they volunteer. Individuals and organizations can seize the moment and share in honoring America’s volunteers this spring.

This year’s National Volunteer Week is April 21 through 27. The theme “Celebrate Service” captures the meaning of what this week is about: honoring the millions of people who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities. National Volunteer Week is also an opportunity for volunteers to inspire and encourage others to seek out and participate in activities that cause a positive change in their communities

Everywhere you look, you’ll find a story about ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things through volunteer service, including blood donation,” said Tracy Duncan Fox, spokesperson for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “And that’s cause for celebration.”

National Volunteer Week was established by President Richard Nixon in 1974, and continues to grow in scope through the support of all subsequent U.S. presidents and other elected officials.

At the Red Cross, volunteers constitute approximately 94 percent of the total work force needed to carry out the organization’s humanitarian mission. More than half a million people a year proudly call themselves American Red Cross volunteers.

Volunteers show all of us that you can make a difference in today’s world,” said Fox. “We invite you to join the millions of people who help save the day by donating blood or giving of your time and talents through the American Red Cross.”

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

  • Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at IBEW 531 in the Hall, located at 2751 N. Old SR 39 in LaPorte.
  • Monday, April 22, from noon until 5 p.m. at IU Health LaPorte Hospital in the Auditorium, located at 1007 W. Lincolnway in LaPorte. Come to donate and receive a $3 lunch coupon courtesy of IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
  • Tuesday, April 23, from 8 a.m. until noon at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in St. Francis Hall, located at 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City.
  • Tuesday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at T.P. Orthodontics, located at 1266 S. U.S, Highway 421 in Westville.

 

How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in 60 hospitals. 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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.