SPRINGFIELD — In times of need, people come together to support one another. The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
How to help
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employees.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 15-31:
Benton
Warsaw
5/18/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 154 W. Washington St.
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Henry
Clinton
5/21/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1531 N Vansant Rd
5/22/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1531 N Vansant Rd
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Pulaski
Saint Robert
5/21/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Robert Community Center, 114 J.H. Williamson Drive
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Barry
Monett
5/21/2020: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Tyson Foods Inc, 800 County Rd
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Camden
Camdenton
5/15/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Kinderhook, 54 Club Pl
Osage Beach
5/18/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tri County YMCA of the Ozarks, 950 Airport Rd
5/21/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1168 KK Highway
5/27/2020: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lowe’s Osage Beach, 950 MO-42
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Christian
Ozark
5/29/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ozark Community Center, 1530 West Jackson
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Greene
Springfield
5/15/2020: 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/16/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/17/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/18/2020: 11:15 a.m. – 6 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/19/2020: 11 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/22/2020: 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/23/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/24/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/25/2020: 9:15 a.m. – 3 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/26/2020: 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/29/2020: 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/30/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
5/31/2020: 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Springfield Blood Donation Center, 313 E. Battlefield, Ste B
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Jasper
Carthage
5/21/2020: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Halo Salon and Beauty Bar, 2206 S. Maple
Joplin
5/22/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2107 S. Indiana Ave
5/26/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fellowship Baptist Church, 2827 E 32nd Street
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Laclede
Lebanon
5/27/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 240 Highway YY
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Lawrence
Aurora
5/18/2020: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Community National Bank, 444 South Rinker
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Newton
Neosho
5/18/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Lampo Community Center, 500 East Spring Street
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Ozark
Gainesville
5/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 119 2nd Street
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Taney
Branson
5/15/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Walmart, 1101 Branson Hills Parkway
5/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Our Lady Of The Lake Catholic Church, 202 Vaughn Drive
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Vernon
Sheldon
5/22/2020: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sheldon Baptist Church, 102 Commercial Street, Second and Commercial
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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.
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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.
