The Red Cross’s springtime blood drive will come to a close on Monday April 28. The blood drive, which started on April 2, traveled all over Jackson and Josephine County to replenish their stores for summer, a time when blood donations tend to drop.
“We need blood donors and blood drive sponsors to spring into action now and during the summer months,” said Territory Representative Christina Martin, a spokeswoman at Red Cross.
All blood types are needed, especially O negative. O negative is a universal blood type, meaning anyone can use it regardless of their type.
That said, there are requirements to donate. Donors must be at least 17, and be at least 110 pounds. Donors also need to be in relatively good health. Finally, a driver’s license, blood donor’s card or two other forms of ID are required as well.
Over the next week they will be in Medford, Cave Junction and Grants Pass.
A large amount of donated blood comes from drives at high schools and colleges. Last year, 20% of all the blood collected by the Red Cross came from such students. The lack of school drives during the summer causes the fall in donation amount. This is why collecting before summer is important.
The Red Cross gathers 40% of America’s blood. Every day, on average, the Red Cross has to collect about 15,000 units of blood for patients at approximately 2,700 locations such as community hospitals, according to Martin.
“Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood,” she said.
To donate blood during the spring drive, please reference the dates below. Outside of that, other blood donating times and information can be found here or by calling 1-800-733-2767. More blood drives are to come to Ashland before the end of term as well. These same resources can also help if someone is interested in sponsoring a blood drive.
Spring Blood Drive Schedule
- Thursday, April 24: 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 East River St., Cave Junction
- Friday, April 25: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Medford Donor Center
- Friday, April 25: 11:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Fellowship Hall, Calvary Lutheran Church, 909 NE A St., Grants Pass
- Saturday, April 26: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultural Hall, LDS Church, 2141 Brookhurst St., Medford
- Monday, April 28: 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Medford Donor Center