For 131 years, the American Red Cross has been a place where people mobilize to help their neighbors during times of great need. And each spring, the U.S. President acknowledges that role and encourages volunteerism and blood donation by proclaiming March as Red Cross Month.
“Wherever there’s a need, we’ll be there,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “That’s because our volunteers – like our neighbors -- are across the street, across the country and around the world.”
More than 3.5 million people volunteered to give blood last year, and helped provide blood products for patients in about 3,000 U.S. hospitals and transfusion centers. In addition, more than 500,000 people a year volunteer nationwide through the American Red Cross. Those volunteers make a difference through Red Cross services associated with blood donation, disaster relief, health and safety training, support to military members and families, and international aid.
“While the world changes around us, our mission never does,” said Sharyn Whitman. “We’re all about helping others during times of great need – and we can do that because of the generosity of countless volunteers and donors—including people who roll up their sleeve and give blood.”
The Red Cross delivers humanitarian and community services through a network of about 600 Chapters, and collects blood through 36 Blood Regions. In the last year, these locally-supported Chapters responded to nearly 70,000 disasters, while Blood Regions distributed about 9.3 million blood products. Internationally, the American Red Cross is part of a global network of more than 180 national societies, and helps more than 200 million people a year through disaster management and disease prevention activities.
“We’re like a family of millions,” said Sharyn Whitman. “Together, we’re united to bring comfort and hope wherever it’s needed through blood donation and other services.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Friday, March 16, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Culver’s, located at 2101 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a Culver's Frozen Custard coupon good for one pint of frozen custard. Please call 531-9600 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Saturday, March 17, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County in the Small Gymnasium, located at 723 Long Run Road in Valparaiso.
- Tuesday, March 20, from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Wheeler High School in the gymnasium, located at 587 West 300 North in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a t-shirt and a coupon good for one pint of frozen custard from Culver’s in Valparaiso.
- Wednesday, March 21, from noon until 4 p.m. at the First Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 1507 Glendale Blvd. in Valparaiso.
- Saturday, March 24, from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows in Franciscan Hall, located at 356 West 700 North in Valparaiso.
- Monday, March 26, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Family Video, located at 2502 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a Culver’s Frozen Custard coupon good for one pint of frozen custard.
- Wednesday, March 28, from noon until 6 p.m. at Valparaiso University in Harre Union Ballrooms B & C, located at 1509 Campus Drive in Valparaiso. Come to donate and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Visa gift card.
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 more than 60 hospitals. In addition to supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.