Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities
By VINCE ROBINSON
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient and diverse blood supply by giving blood this February.
Since the beginning of the year, widespread flu and inclement winter weather in some parts of the country have prevented many regular donors from making or keeping their blood donation appointments. Healthy and diverse blood donors are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply.
Diversity among blood donors is important because red blood cells carry markers that determine one’s blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Blood must be matched very closely for those patients with rare blood types or for those who need repeated transfusions. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.
All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Here are the upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Elkhart County
- Noon until 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart, 1732 Garden St., Elkhart.
- 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley, Elkhart.
- Noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, Maranatha Fellowship Church, 9639 W. Hepton Rd., Nappanee.
- 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, Orchard View Elementary School, 56734 Northridge Dr., Middlebury.
- 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, Benton Mennonite Church, 15350 CR 44, Goshen.
- Noon until 6 p.m. Friday, March 6, Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, 63846 CR 35, Goshen.
- 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 7, Harrison Christian School, 64784 CR 11, Goshen.
- 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friday, march 13, West Goshen Elementary School, 215 Dewey Ave., Goshen.
Kosciusko County
- 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, American Legion Auxiliary, 301 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw.
- 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, National Guard Armory, 315 W. 350 N., Warsaw.
- 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Martin’s Supermarket, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw.
- Noon until 6 p.m., Thursday, March 5, Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington, Syracuse.
- 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, Kosciusko Community Hospital, 2101 E. Bubois, Warsaw.
- 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.
- Noon until 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 550 West 300 North, Warsaw.
LaGrange County
- 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, Blue Gate Garden Inn, 800 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
Marshall County
- 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, Jefferson Elementary, 401 Klinger St., Plymouth.
- 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, Plymouth Wesleyan Church, 11203 S. Michigan Rd., Plymouth.
- 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, March 12, Culver Academies Fleet Gymnasium, 1300 Academy Rd., Culver.
St. Joseph County
- 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Indiana University, 1825 Northside Blvd., Mishawaka.
- 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, LaFortune Student Center, 315 LaFortune Student Center, Notre Dame.
- 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, South Bend Fire Department, 1222 South Michigan St., South Bend.
- 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, Lincoln Township Community Building, 3098 S. 800 E., Walkerton.
The Goshen Donor Center
Located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen. Open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (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.