Faith Leaders’ Blood Donation Day to Mark Its Tenth Year

American Red Cross partners with the Dioceses of Gary to encourage community to donate blood

The 10th Annual MLK Jr. Blood of the Martyrs Blood Drive is scheduled for churches in Lake, Porter, Starke and LaPorte counties. These blood drives are sponsored by the Diocese of Gary Office, Catholic Charities and the Knights of Columbus. The goal of these blood drives is to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and all those who have died so we may be free.

In what has now become a national event, the drive has been duplicated in municipalities and other diocese around the country. The MLK Jr. Blood of the Martyrs Blood Drives were designed to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and increase donations among a diverse population. Inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, these blood drives are a way to honor Dr. King and encourage others to stand up for social justice.

Blood is needed year-round, but the need compounds in the winter when holiday travel and activities increase the chance of accidents and injuries that require blood for lifesaving care. The Diocese of Gary Office, Catholic Charities and Knights of Columbus encourage eligible donors to join them by making and keeping an appointment to donate blood this winter.

“Holidays are an important time for our community to come together in order to help those people in need,” said Rita Mayer, Development Director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary. “We hope that the community will embrace Dr. King’s belief that ‘Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others.’ and blood donation is such an easy way to do so much for others"

Come to donate from Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 and be entered into a region-wide drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card.

• Thursday, Jan. 5, from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at St. Matthias Church in the Hall, located at 101 Burell Drive in Crown Point.
  
• Sunday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Nativity of our Savior in the Fellowship Hall, located at 2949 Willowcreek Road in Portage.
  
• Monday, Jan. 9, from noon until 6 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in the Social Hall, located at 1855 W. Harrison Blvd. in Valparaiso.
  
• Sunday, Jan. 15, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace in the lower level Cafeteria, located at 3005 Condit St. in Highland.
  
• Monday, Jan. 16, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at St. John Kanty in the Hall, located at 7012 North 600 East in Rolling Prairie.
  
• Monday, Jan. 16, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila in the Catholic Student Center, located at 1604 Lincolnway in Valparaiso.
  
• Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in the lower level, located at 101 C Street in LaPorte.
  
• Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in the Hall, located at 13039 Wicker Ave. in Cedar Lake.
  
• Thursday, Jan. 19, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in the Hall, located at 210 W. Central Ave. in North Judson.
  
• Saturday, Jan. 21, from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, located at 2447 Putnam in Lake Station.
  
• Monday, Jan. 23, from 12:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at St. Bridget School & Church in the gymnasium, located at 107 Main St. in Hobart.
  
• Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist in the Mural Room, located at 1844 Lincoln Ave. in Whiting.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule a blood donation appointment.

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 some states), 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.

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