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

Elm Grove Baptist Church to host blood drive

BONNER SPRINGS, KAN. ----- Elm Grove Baptist Church in Bonner Springs will be hosting a blood drive Jan. 2 from 3-7 p.m.

The church is located at 15774 Linwood Road in Bonner Springs.

Below is more information, including more American Red Cross blood drive locations in January if you can't make the Bonner event.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the American Red Cross invites those who are eligible to join the millions of blood donors across the country in helping ensure a stable blood supply for patients in need.

People have many different reasons for donating blood. Jill Long’s is her late husband, Bill, who died from esophageal cancer. After his stage 4 diagnosis, he was able to survive for three more years, thanks in part to the blood transfusions he received. Long said she believes “the gift of time” is what blood donors really give.

“It took me only a few minutes to donate my blood, while he spent all day receiving someone else’s — just so that he could keep fighting to stay alive,” she said.

They were both grateful for that opportunity to fight, Long said. Now, as a blood donor, she said she feels like she can help other families in similar situations “battle to stay together as long as possible.”

January can be a difficult month to collect donations due to inclement weather and seasonal illnesses. The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give during National Blood Donor Month by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Jackson County
Jan. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grandview Community Center, 13500 Byars Road in Grandview, Mo.
Jan. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop, 18001 Bass Pro Drive in Independence, Mo.
Jan. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National American University, 3620 Arrowhead Ave. in Independence, Mo.
Jan. 8 from 3-7 p.m. at First Baptist Raytown, 10500 Missouri 350 in Kansas City, Mo.

Johnson County (Kan.)
Jan. 8 from 3-7 p.m. at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall Ave. in Overland Park, Kan.
Jan. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at AIG, 17200 W. 119th St. in Olathe, Kan.
Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kansas City Church of Christ, 10250 Quivira Road in Lenexa, Kan.
Jan. 14 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Rosehill Point Apartments, 12701 W. 88th St. Circle in Lenexa, Kan.
Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Compass Minerals, 9900 W. 109th St. in Overland Park, Kan.
Jan. 15 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Monticello Trails Middle School, 6100 Monticello Road in Shawnee, Kan.

Johnson County (Mo.)
Jan. 10 from 2-6:30 p.m. at Chilhowee R-V School, 101 SW Highway 2 in Chilhowee, Mo.

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.

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.

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.

Red Cross to take part in World Blood Donor Day

News Release

World Blood Donor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the role of volunteer blood donors around the world.

According to the World Blood Donor Day website, 92 million blood donations are made worldwide each year.  In the Missouri-Illinois region, nearly 800 blood donors are needed each day to help meet the needs of area hospital patients.

Volunteer blood donors help the American Red Cross supply around nine million transfusable blood products to patients at approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the United States.

World Blood Donor Day is also designed to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products.

Efforts to ensure donor and recipient safety have reduced the population of eligible voluntary blood donors.

By joining the Red Cross in celebration of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, you can help recruit new blood donors into the system.

The more blood donors available, the less the likelihood of a shortage.

Plus, when you visit a Red Cross blood drive between now and July 31 you’ll be eligible to win a Gibson guitar, courtesy of The Gibson Foundation.  The Red Cross will award multiple guitars and 50,000 guitar picks, co-branded with the Gibson and Red Cross logos, during this campaign.  In addition, you’ll receive a rock and roll themed t-shirt.

As a special incentive for our young donors, anyone aged 16-21 can enter to win a $5,000 scholarship!

You can make an appointment to give blood at one of the following Red Cross blood drives by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Here are the locations around the Kansas City metro area and dates of specific blood drives:

• 6/11/2012, Community Center, 6901 North Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

• 6/12/2012, Kauffman Foundation, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

• 6/12/2012, Eagle Fitness Center, 338 S. 291 Hwy, Liberty, MO, 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• 6/13/2012, Quintiles Transnational Inc, 6700 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• 6/14/2012, Epiq Systems Inc, 501 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• 6/14/2012, Genesys, 3210 E. 85th Street, Kansas City, MO, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

• 6/15/2012, Ruskin Company, 3900 Dr. Greaves Road, Grandview, MO, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• 6/15/2012, Westin Crown Center, 1 E. Pershing, Kansas City, MO, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• 6/16/2012, Swope Parkway Health Center, 3801 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

• 6/18/2012, Gear For Sports, 9700 Commerce Parkway, Lenexa, KS, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• 6/18/2012, Hy-Vee Independence Noland Rd, 4545 S Noland Rd, Independence, MO, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• 6/19/2012, Wallula Christian Church, 23785 139th Street, Leavenworth, KS, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• 6/19/2012, Blue Springs Hy-Vee, 625 SW US Hwy 40, Blue Springs, MO, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• 6/20/2012, VFW Headquarters, 406 W. 34th St, Kansas City, MO, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• 6/21/2012, Midland Loan Services, 10851 Mastin St., Overland Park, KS, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• 6/22/2012, Waddell and Reed, 6301 Glenwood, Overland Park, KS, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM

• 6/22/2012, AECOM, 2380 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• 6/23/2012, Lee Haven Community Center, 111 S.E. Grand, Lee's Summit, MO, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

• 6/25/2012, Atchison Heritage Conference Center, 710 S. 9th Street, Atchison, KS, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Ash, Lynch sponsoring blood drive

Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash and Wyandotte County Judge Kate Lynch will be sponsoring a blood drive later this month.

The blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on June 27 at City Hall on 7th and Armstrong.

Appointments are not required, but they are encouraged.

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