During Trauma Awareness Month in May, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood and help ensure a sufficient supply for patient emergencies.
Dennis Weidner knows how critical blood products are in trauma situations. In 1996, part of his left leg was amputated following a farming accident. “Through the surgeries, I received 13 units of blood,” he said. Weidner now gives blood as often as he can.
Donors of all blood types are needed this May. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Donors can then also visit redcrossblood.org/cedarfair to enter to win one of two grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Great Bend are:
• Tuesday, May 17, 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at River Bend Assisted Living, 3820 Broadway Ave.
• Monday, May 23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave.
• Tuesday, May 24, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4124 Broadway Ave.