BROOKINGS — This May, the American Red Cross is calling for donors to give blood regularly to be prepared to meet the needs of patients in emergency situations.
Locally, blood drives are set May 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the William F. Janklow Community Center, 802 W. Community Drive in Flandreau; and on May 9 from 2-7 p.m. May 9 at the American Legion, 222 Main Street N. in Estelline.
According to the National Trauma Institute, trauma accounts for approximately 41 million emergency department visits and two million hospital admissions each year.
Regular blood, platelet and plasma donations ensure that blood is available at a moment’s notice. In fact, it is the blood on the shelves that is used to help save lives at the time of an accident or sudden illness.
In trauma situations, when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma because they can be transfused to any patient, regardless of blood type.
Less than seven percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood.
Donors of all blood types are urged to roll up a sleeve this May to help patients who need blood.
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).
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 or use the Blood Donor App.
All those who come to donate from now to May 13 will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply. More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lets-Do-More.)
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 1-26:
Watertown
5/1/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Watertown High School, 200 9th St. NE
Bryant
5/11/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., City Auditorium, 115 W. Main St.
DeSmet
5/10/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., DeSmet Event Center, 705 Wilder Lane
Sioux Falls
5/8/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls, 5000 S. Western Ave.
Minnehaha
5/7/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 808 West Ave. N.
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 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.
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 CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
