American Red Cross Blood Donations

Each year, American Red Cross blood donations save countless lives. You can be a part of the miracle by donating blood yourself, or encouraging others to do so.

There are other ways to make a difference in your world.

Chances are, you hear about blood drives in your neighborhood, at your school, or at your workplace. However, if you’ve never given blood before, perhaps it’s because you have yet to discover the life changing difference it can make not only for the recipient of your blood, but for your own life as well.

Right now, only about 5% of the people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do so. These donations are the only way hospitals and other medical institutions can complete blood transfusions to the patients who need it often. In fact, the American Red Cross estimates that someone needs blood every two seconds to survive. In short, you are needed to keep saving lives all across the nation.

Think donating is difficult? Your local blood drive may beg to differ – simply find one in your home town, or register online to become a donor. You can even give blood on your lunch hour – it is that simple and convenient.

If you are nervous about giving blood, consider checking out the recipient testimonies that show how past donations have been used – from heart transplants to premature infants, blood recipients come from all walks of life.

If you are passionate about seeing others heal from severe illness and thrive, then you may want to take your donation one step further and sponsoring a blood drive. If you choose to be a sponsor, you agree to offer a clean and acceptable location for the Red Cross to come administer the blood withdrawl, schedule individuals to come in to donate the blood, and help recruit people to come make a difference. The Red Cross will provide you with promotional literature to help you get started, and will even help you find volunteers and serve refreshments throughout the drive. Finally, they train you in recruitment so you can rest assured your sponsored drive will be successful.

To increase the number of American Red Cross blood donations provided by those in their late teens and early 20s, the Red Cross has recently started a new promotion called Young Blood. Here, they talk straight to young people about why they should give blood, and also provide eligibility requirements. Youth are even able to sponsor and organize their own blood drive if they are at least 17 years old, which can help them feel as if they really do count in this world. It’s a great self esteem exercise for any school club or non profit, and teens will be amazed at what a great event they can pull off.

If you are not able to make a blood donation for whatever reason, there are still plenty of ways to help with local blood drives and the gathering of donations as a whole. First and foremost, you can donate funds to help keep the organization supplied with all they need to continue making a difference.

There are several ways you can donate:

• Through online giving
• Through Google checkout
• Over the phone
• Via mail
• By wire transfer
• Through fundraising

You can even text message a donation into the Red Cross. If you don’t have a lot to give, consider just donating your spare change or organizing a penny drive throughout your neighborhood. To donate money over the phone, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The American Red Cross continues to lead the way in restoring health and prosperity in the lives of countless individuals. Consider joining the ranks of their heroes today.

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