Red Cross issues emergency call for all blood donors

The American Red Cross, Coad Chevrolet- Buick-Ford and Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, SIEC, are teaming up to urge individuals to do something significant to help patients in need this summer by donating blood on Wednesday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Coad Chevrolet-Buick-Ford in Anna.

The community is invited to take part in this lifesaving event to help boost the blood supply and ensure blood products are on the shelves for patients this summer.

All presenting donors will receive a $5 off oil change coupon. In addition, presenting donors who are SIEC members, will receive a $10 utility bill credit.

This blood drive comes at a time when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need.

“The summer months can be among the most challenging times of the year for blood donations as many are vacationing and participating in summer activities,” said Garry Allison, director of donor recruitment with the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, in a news release.

“We appreciate the generosity of community partners like Coad Chevrolet-Buick-Ford and Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative who rally round us by hosting a drive or rewarding donors for helping to save lives.”

Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

People can 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).

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.

Blood donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive.

To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

For more than 75 years, the Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, a nonprofit electric cooperative, has served homes and businesses in southernmost Illinois.

The co-op serves more than 11,500 meters of its member-owners located in six counties across Illinois. SIEC is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive in Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski, Massac and Union counties: five of the six counties they serve.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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