Donate blood with the American Red Cross in support of organ transplant and other patients; October is Liver Awareness Month

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during Liver Awareness Month this October.

According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 6,000 liver transplants are performed each year in the U.S., making it the second most common transplant. Liver transplant patients may require in excess of 30 pints of blood during surgery. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need of transfusions during surgery.

Donors with all blood types are currently needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. All those who attempt to donate blood during October will be eligible to win a $5,000 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

To make an appointment to donate blood, eligible donors are encouraged to download the new Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). More information on liver disease and ways to help protect against liver disease is available at liverfoundation.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Kosciusko County
Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1101 N 175 E in Warsaw.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St. in Warsaw.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at North Webster Church of God, 302 N Main in North Webster.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Camp Creek Church of the Brethren, 7486 N SR 19 in Etna Green.

Elkhart County
Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3415 Pleasant Plain Avenue in Elkhart.

LaGrange County
Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 10275 E 550 S in Stroh.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at KZ-RV, 0985 N 900 W in Shipshewana.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at LaGrange First Church of God, 777 N. Detroit St. in LaGrange.

Marshall County
Monday, October 6, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Menominee Elementary School, 815 Discovery Lane in Plymouth.

Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 901 East Jefferson St. in Plymouth.

St Joseph County
Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at SAPA Extrusions North America, 400 South Main Street in North Liberty.

Monday, October 6, 2014 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Indiana University, 1825 Northside Blvd. in South Bend.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School, 2310 E. Jefferson Blvd. in South Bend.

Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 930 Park Place in Mishawaka.

The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave. in Goshen:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday:   closed
Friday and Saturday:    7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.