The Red Cross provides about 40% of our Nation’s blood and blood components, all which come from generous volunteer donors. Supply cannot always meet demand, because only about 10% of eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs. Especially during the Holiday Season, blood is in great demand. Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U. S. donate blood.
Giving blood is one the most selfless acts an individual can do. The hour it takes to give blood literally can mean a lifetime, for a patient with a serious medical need. Plus, each pint you donate can save up to three lives.
- Each year in the United States, 13.6 million whole blood and red blood cells are collected. About 45% of people in the U. S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%.)
- Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U. S. are type O negative, it is always in great demand and often in short supply.
- Type AB positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 3% of people in the U. S. have AB positive blood, this plasma also is usually in short supply.
- Red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less.)
- Platelets must be used within just five days.
Each month, Red Cross Blood drives are held at Community Reformed Church, 747 N. 12th Street, Clinton, IA, the second Tuesday (from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.) and the fourth Tuesday (from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Because Christmas is on the fourth Tuesday of December, that drive will be held Wednesday, December 26.
Two Special Holiday Blood Drives will be held at Community Reformed Church this holiday season:
- Friday, November 23, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Donors can schedule an appointment to give by using the Blood Donor App, visiting www.recrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.) To verify your eligibility, please contact 1-866-236-3276.
We are very grateful to our blood donors who have reached various milestone donations through the American Red Cross at Community Reformed Church. We are very excited to have several first time donors: Paige Bauer, Jordan Bauer, Chad Housenga, Nam-Phuong Brennan, and Lorna May. One-gallon donors are Steve Witt and Mary Connell. Two-gallon donors are Bart VanderBleek, Earl Krogman, and Michael L. Meador. Three-gallon donors are Steven Tegeler, Ruby Hopper, Patrick Doty, and Wayne Schoel. Five-gallon donors are Debora Gosnell and Richard Miller. Six-gallon donors are Daniel Peart and Gerald Hockman. Seven-gallon donor is Ken Banowetz. Eight-gallon donors are Michael Mulholland and Steve Guidebeck. Nine-gallon donor is Betty Banowetz. 11-gallon donor is Patricia Zirkelbach. 14-gallon donors are Bess Haan and Rae Terrock. 17-gallon donor is Robert Bartel. 20-gallon donor is Sam Steines. 21-gallon donor is Roger Crosthwaite. 22-gallon donor is Loren Andresen. 29-gallon donor is Steve Simmons. Dean Stone donated 33 gallons!