During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to band together to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer by giving blood.
In appreciation, those who come to give Oct. 15 through Nov. 11 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
Donors are asked to make appointments by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Donors of all blood types are urged to help ensure a stable supply for cancer patients and others this fall. To thank those who come to give in October, the Red Cross is also offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners. Terms and conditions apply. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Unite.
Blood donations play a crucial role in cancer treatment.
Diane Doehrman began donating blood during college. In the years following, she became a platelet donor and even helped start blood drives in her community.
More recently, Doehrman’s been on the receiving end of blood donations. Fourteen years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now she has an incurable cancer, malignant mixed Müllerian tumor.
“As a cancer patient, I had to have blood transfusions several times when the chemotherapy treatments have destroyed my immune system,” she said. “I am so very thankful for the donations from others. It can truly save a life.”
Cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy may require red blood cell or platelet transfusions. In fact, patients fighting cancer need more blood than those with any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Claflin
Oct. 16: 12:30-6:30 p.m., Claflin Community Center, 409 A St.
Great Bend
Oct. 16: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave.
Oct. 30: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Barton County Community College Case New Holland Lab, 245 N.E. 30 Road
Hoisington
Oct. 22: 12:30-6:30 p.m., Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank
Utica
Oct. 19: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., United Methodist Church, 357 E. Bell
Larned
Oct. 29: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Larned High School, 815 Corse
Bison
Oct. 19: noon to 6 p.m., Bison Middle School, 411 Main St.
St John
Oct. 23: noon to 5:30 p.m., Witt Community Center, 215 E. 3rd Ave.
