The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood this summer for hospital patients in need and offers easy steps people can take to help save lives.
Only about 3 percent of the U.S. population gives blood, which means a heavy reliance on repeat donors to maintain a sufficient blood supply. New blood donors are especially needed during the summer months because many schools where blood drives are held – and where new donors give – are not in session, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacations.
Patients like Anna Schuster might not be here without generous volunteer blood donors. Doctors gave Schuster a 1 percent chance of survival after a collision with a semitrailer. During the first 12 hours after her accident, she received 65 units of blood. Schuster’s road to recovery has been long – 58 surgeries in the 12 years since her accident, including four in the past 14 months, with many of them requiring more blood transfusions.
Every day there are thousands of patients like Schuster who rely on lifesaving blood donations. That’s why donors are urged to give now and give often.
In June, the Red Cross joins blood collection agencies around the world marking World Blood Donor Day by raising awareness about the need for a readily available blood supply. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can make an even greater impact by inviting others to join them in giving.
How to help
Simply visit your nearby collection center or call the American Red Cross Blood at 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Lodi
6/21/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
6/28/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
7/5/2017: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hutchins Square Community Center, 125 S. Hutchins
Manteca
6/19/2017: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Manteca Blood Donation Center, 1030 N Main Street
6/26/2017: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Manteca Blood Donation Center, 1030 N Main Street
7/3/2017: 1 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Manteca Blood Donation Center, 1030 N Main Street
Stockton
6/16/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Univision 19 @ N Stockton, 2888 W March Lane
6/16/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Univision 19 @ N Stockton, 2888 W March Lane
6/17/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/18/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/19/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/20/2017: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/21/2017: 11:45 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Certified Collision Center- Stockton, 7710 Murray Drive
6/22/2017: 11:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/23/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/24/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/26/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/27/2017: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/28/2017: 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/29/2017: 11:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
6/30/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/1/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/3/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/4/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/5/2017: 11:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/6/2017: 11:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/7/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
7/8/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Stockton Blood Donation Center, 2888 West March Lane
Tracy
6/17/2017: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd
7/8/2017: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tracy American Legion, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd