American Red Cross blood donation drives to be held in Wyandotte County, Johnson County

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help their communities prepare for emergencies by giving blood during National Preparedness Month this September.

Becoming a regular blood donor is one way to help ensure communities are prepared for any emergency, including those where blood transfusions are needed. The Red Cross also encourages the public to get prepared by making a disaster plan for their homes or work places.

A sufficient blood supply is central to ensuring hospitals are prepared to meet patient needs in times of disaster, including the very personal ones that can happen any day. Because blood takes about 48 hours to be tested, processed and made available for patients, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save the day when emergencies occur.

This month also marks the sixth year that the Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts have teamed up to help increase blood donations.

Through the “Saving Lives Never Looked So Good” campaign, Sport Clips is thanking those who come to give blood in September with a coupon for a free haircut at participating Sport Clips locations. The coupon is valid through Nov. 8, 2015, and will be sent to donors via email a few days after their donation.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients needing transfusions. The Red Cross needs blood donors of all types – especially those with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative – to give blood regularly.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

For information on planning for emergencies and preparedness training, visit redcross.org/prepare.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities on the Kansas side:

Wyandotte 

• 9/19/2015: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sporting Park – The Shield Club, One Sporting Way

Lenexa

• 9/22/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Xeno Tech LLC, 16825 West 116th Street

Mission

• 9/24/2015: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Vin Solutions, 5700 Broadmoor, 9th floor

Overland Park

• 9/17/2015: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lighton II, 7400 College Boulevard
• 9/17/2015: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Care Spot HCA Midwest Health System, 9507 Antioch rd

American Red Cross to host blood drive in Wyandotte County

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive later this month at the Wyandotte County Criminal Justice Complex.

Blood can be donated from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on June 25 at the complex, which is located at 710 N. 7th Street.

More information:

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blooddonors to make and keep donation appointments to maintain the summer blood supply and help prevent a shortage. Donors of all blood types are currently needed, especially those with type O negative, B negative and A negative.

While the need for blood remains constant during the summer, donations drop. Between June and August, on average, two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what hospitals need. This seasonal decline could be overcome if just two additional donors – above what is expected – give blood at each Red Cross blood drive this summer.

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Recently, a patient needed 79 blood products after injuries sustained during a car accident. Thanks to blood donors who gave in the days and weeks prior, blood products were readily available for this patient and thousands of others at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country supported by the Red Cross.

This summer, there are 100 chances to give hope with the Red Cross by giving blood. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more and make an appointment.

American Red Cross to hold two blood drives in KCK next month

KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Every day patients across the country rely on blood donated through the American Red Cross.

While the need is ongoing, the supply isn’t always — especially during the holiday season, when many regular donors are busy with holiday activities.

Donors of all blood types are currently needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients.

As part of the Give Something that Means Something winter campaign, blood donors can invite a loved one to follow in their footsteps or let someone know they gave in his or her honor with a customized postcard.

Donors simply take a photo of a Red Cross moment, whether it’s relaxing on a donor bed, enjoying a post-donation snack or meeting a blood recipient, then upload the photo and add a message at rcblood.org/holidaypostcard.

The “postagram” will be mailed anywhere the donor chooses, courtesy of the Red Cross and Postagram.

Eligible donors can help the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply around the holidays. Appointments can be made by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The events in Wyandotte County:

• Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive in Kansas City, Kan.

• Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Justice Complex, 710 N. Seventh St. in Kansas City, Kan.

Red Cross calls on blood donors to help alleviate summer shortage; blood drive in KCK August 12

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors of all types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, as fewer donations than expected were given in the first half of summer. Every day donations come up short, less potentially lifesaving blood is available for patients in need.

The Life Care Center of Kansas City, Kan., located at 3231 N. 61st Street, will be hosting a blood drive on August 12. Area residents can donate blood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day.

Type O negative blood is universal and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to both Rh positive or negative patients. Blood products can be used for cancer patients, trauma victims, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease patients and more.

Hospital patients are counting on generous volunteer donors to step up and give now to help ensure a sufficient blood supply is available all summer long. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information and to make an appointment.

Wyandotte High School, metro area locations to host blood drives

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross invites everyone to support their communities by giving blood or platelets, volunteering, taking a class or making a financial donation.

Those involved enable the Red Cross to continue to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Like the emergency room of a hospital, the Red Cross must be prepared to respond to patient needs around the clock.

With the generous support of blood donors, the Red Cross can help ensure all patients have the blood products they need, no matter when or where.

Patients of all types regularly need transfusions. A hospital served by the Red Cross recently ordered 50 units of red blood cells and 50 units of plasma for a patient undergoing a liver transplant. Thanks to dedicated Red Cross donors, blood products were readily available for this patient and many others.

To make an appointment to donate blood or for more information about other ways to get involved with the Red Cross, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Atchison County

• March 25 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 603 N. Eighth St. in Atchison, Kan.

Jackson County

• March 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5106 St. John Ave. in Kansas City, Mo.

• March 22 from 3-8 p.m. at Missouri Mavericks, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway in Independence, Mo.

• March 25 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Lone Jack High School, 313 S. Bynum in Lone Jack, Mo.

• March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gail’s Harley-Davidson/Buell, 5900 E. Highway 150 in Grandview, Mo.

Johnson County

• March 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Valley View United Methodist Church, 8412 W. 95th St. in Overland Park, Kan.

Platte County

• March 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kansas City Military Entrance Processing Center, 10316 NW Praire View Road in Kansas City, Mo.

Wyandotte County

• March 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wyandotte High School, 2501 Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Red Cross urges blood donations after winter storm cancels blood drives

Severe winter weather across much of Missouri and parts of Illinois and eastern Kansas last week forced the cancellation of approximately 20 American Red Cross blood drives, resulting in a shortfall of more than 1,200 blood and platelet donations through the Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region.

Once inclement weather passes, eligible donors are encouraged to give lifesaving blood to help offset the current shortfall and ensure a stable supply.

“While inclement winter weather can hinder blood and platelet donations, patients’ needs for these lifesaving blood products is constant.” said Scott Caswell, CEO of the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region, which serves nearly 80 hospitals region wide. “Now that the severe weather has subsided, we encourage eligible donors to give and help ensure patients’ needs continue to be met.”

All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

American Red Cross assisting families affected by fire

Following this morning's fatality fire at 1800 N. 76th Drive in Kansas City, Kan., the American Red Cross announced that it will be assisting over 20 individuals who were affected by the fire.

News release:

The American Red Cross is helping 26 people with emergency needs such as lodging, food, and new clothing after an early morning apartment fire at 1800 N 76th Drive, KCK.
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Red Cross caseworkers will continue to work with the people affected by the fire over the coming days to identify other assistance that can be provided.

The fire claimed two lives.  The Red Cross has reached out to those families as well and will be providing assistance as needed.

Red Cross blood drive set for Wyandotte County early next month

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in Kansas City, Kan., early next month.

Those interested in donating blood can go to the Living Water United Methodist Church on February 9. The blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the church, located at 3001 N. 115th Street.

For more information on giving blood, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS. Or, you can visit redcrossblood.org.

American Red Cross to hold blood drive later this month

News Release:

The American Red Cross reminds eligible donors that the need for blood is constant and the blood supply must be regularly replenished. By making an appointment to donate blood, dedicated donors can help the Red Cross meet the needs of patients — locally and across the nation.

Those looking for another way to increase the lifesaving impact of blood donation can become an advocate by encouraging friends and family to become dedicated blood donors, too. Just 3 percent of the U.S. population gives blood, and one of the top reasons people say they haven’t given blood is because no one asked them to.

Help the Red Cross increase the number of blood donors and maintain a stable blood supply for patients in need by making an appointment to donate and encouraging others to give.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Atchison County

• Oct. 29 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at American Legion, 705 Commercial St. in Atchison, Kan.

Johnson County

• Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aspen Lodge Apartments, 8100 Perry in Overland Park, Kan.

• Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Corporate Woods Building 40, 9401 Indian Creek Parkway in Overland Park, Kan.

Leavenworth County

• Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Home Depot, 5000 S. Fourth St. in Leavenworth, Kan.

Miami County

• Oct. 22 from 1-6 p.m. at City Auditorium, 439 Main St. in Osawatomie, Kan.

Wyandotte County

• Oct. 30 from 2-7 p.m. at Legends 14 Theatre, 1841 Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kan.

Wyandotte County Chapter of American Red Cross recruiting new volunteers

The Wyandotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for individuals interested in donating their time and talents to help their neighbors in need following a disaster.

The chapter will hold a New Volunteer Orientation on Tuesday, August 14th, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at 1600 Washington Blvd, Kansas City, Kan. Those interested should call the Red Cross at (913) 321-6314 to register.

The Red Cross responds 24-hrs a day/365 days a year to fires or other disasters, helping the affected families with their most basic human needs.

Locally the Wyandotte County Chapter responds to more than 130 fires a year and depends on its dedicated volunteers to help meet our mission of assisting families in crisis with emergency food, clothing and shelter.

Right now volunteers are needed on both local and national disaster assignments. 

There are more than thirty-two different disaster response activities within the Red Cross - sheltering and feeding, conducting client casework, providing health and mental health services, and setting up technology to name a few – and a variety of life experiences and skill sets are needed.

Volunteers are especially needed in Wyandotte County to become part of the Disaster Action Team. DAT members serve on an on-call rotation schedule and respond to fires in Wyandotte County.

All training is provided free of charge. A three-week commitment is required for national deployments, with all lodging, meals and travel covered by the Red Cross.

For more information please contact Jennifer Tarwater, Disaster Services Director at (913)321-6314 or Jennifer.tarwater@redcross.org.

Wyandotte County's American Red Cross chapter accepting donations to help fire victims

News Release:

North, South, East and West, the American Red Cross is running multiple, large disaster relief operations after a week of disasters across the United States.  The American Red Cross is asking the public to help with financial donations.

The American Red Cross is providing help, shelter and hope to families affected by wildfires in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, and on the other extreme, more than a foot of rain in parts of Florida and flash flooding in Brownville, Maine and northern Minnesota that devastated those areas with flood waters.

The American Red Cross is responding with volunteers, shelters and other emergency supplies.  All of Red Cross’ help is provide through the donations of the American people.

“Today, we need the public’s help to response to the immediate emergency needs of hundreds of families across the United States,” stated Jason Williby, Executive Director of the Wyandotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross.  “We are America’s disaster relief charity and we put the public’s donations to work immediately helping devastated families.  All of the work of the Red Cross is funded by the generosity and charitable gifts of the American people.”

The American Red Cross is seeking your help with financial donations to support Disaster Relief.

Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to the local American Red Cross, 1600 Washington Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66102 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Photo courtesy of a number of Twitter users in Colorado Springs, Colo.

All Saints Parish to host blood drive

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

All Saints Parish, located at 229 S. 8th Street, will be hosting a blood drive on April 29.

The donation drive at All Saints Parish will last from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The blood drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross in a donation drive entitled "Pay It Forward This Spring."

More from a press release:

You never know when disaster will strike.  Will it affect you, your family, your neighbors or your community?  During times of distress, there’s one thing that remains constant – the need for help.

You can help Pay It Forward by donating blood.  Blood donors affected by a disaster may be forced to cancel blood donation appointments and may not be available to reschedule in the near future.  Plus, businesses and schools affected by a disaster may be unable to hold blood drives at their locations.

Just as the need for help remains constant, so does the need for blood.  Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion.  More than 44,000 units of blood are needed each day to treat patients at U.S. hospitals.

Thank you for your willingness to Pay It Forward through blood donation.

Locally, you may give blood on the following dates:

4/26/2012, Benedictine College, 1020 North 2nd Street, Atchison, KS, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

4/27/2012, Keystone Learning Services, 500 E. Sunflower Blvd., Ozawkie, KS, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

4/29/2012, All Saints Parish, 229 S. 8th, Kansas City, KS, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

4/30/2012, Lansing High School, 220 Lion Lane, Leavenworth, KS, 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

5/1/2012, Whole Foods Market, 6621 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

5/2/2012, Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Rd, Independence, MO, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

5/2/2012, DeVry University, 11224 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

5/3/2012, Wells Fargo, 8575 W. 110th St., Overland Park, KS, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

5/3/2012, Bennington Park Townhomes, 6601 NE 39th Street, Kansas City, MO, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

5/4/2012, International House of Prayers, 12901 S. US Highway 71, Grandview, MO, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

5/4/2012, G4S Secure Solutions, 10540 Marty, Suite 160, Overland Park, KS, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

5/6/2012, Shawnee Church of the Nazarene, 5539 Quivira Rd., Shawnee Mission, KS, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM