Red Cross blood drives

March 20, 2013 Updated Mar 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM EDT

Spring is about rejuvenation and research studies show that the increase in temperature is a major mood booster. “The need for blood remains constant, especially as the weather becomes warmer,” said Tracy Duncan Fox, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. “A single blood donation can save more than one life, so as the season changes, allow some change within yourself by getting into the habit of donating blood.”

While spring lasts for a few months, donating blood only takes a fraction of that time; the donation process only takes about one hour. A healthy donor can donate red blood cells every 56 days and platelets can be given every 7 days, but no more than 24 times in one year. According to Fox, each and every day, the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region needs to have at least 500 blood donors to help meet the need of patients in the hospitals we serve.

“Strong donor turnout in April and May can give us good momentum into summer. And with only eight percent of eligible individuals donating blood each year, there’s great potential for solid collections during spring,” commented Fox. Approximately 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. But only eight percent of those eligible – or three percent of the general population – donates blood each year.

Every day, patients across the U.S. need an average of 44,000 units of red blood cells. That’s about 16-million donations transfused to 5 million patients each year.

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

Monday, April 1, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Sunrise Chapel in the basement, located at 12732 Spencerville Road in Harlan.

Tuesday, April 2, from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at The Grove, located at 6225 St. Joe Road in Fort Wayne.

Wednesday, April 3, from noon until 4 p.m. at Nill Family Chiropractic Clinic, located at 4606 West Jefferson in Fort Wayne.

Thursday, April 4, from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Dupont Hospital, located at 2520 East Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne.

Friday, April 5, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Mill Supplies Inc., located at 5105 Industrial Rd. in Fort Wayne.

Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Zanesville United Brethren Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 3092 West Broadway in Zanesville.

Monday, April 8, from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at FedEx Express, located at 3620 Independence Drive in Fort Wayne.

Monday, April 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Fire Police City County Federal Credit Union, located at 10123 Lima Road in Fort Wayne.

Tuesday, April 9, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Lowe’s, located at 6931 N. Lima Road in Fort Wayne.

Tuesday, April 9, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Frontier Communications, located at 6430 Oakbrook Parkway in Fort Wayne.

Wednesday, April 10, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital, located at 5902 Homestead Road in Fort Wayne.

Thursday, April 11, from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College in the North Anthony Room, located at 3800 North Anthony Blvd. in Fort Wayne.

Thursday, April 11, from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Belmont Beverage, located at 3309 North Anthony Blvd. in Fort Wayne.

Friday, April 12, from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Vorderman Volkswagen, located at 5811 Cross Creek Blvd. in Fort Wayne.

Saturday, April 13, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Life Bridge Church, located at 12719 Corbin Road in Fort Wayne.

Sunday, April 14, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church in the gym, located at 2304 Lower Huntington Road in Fort Wayne.

Saturday, April 27 from Noon-4pm
Lucky Harley Davidson, 6315 Illinois Rd.

Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)
Traditional whole blood or double red cell donation:
Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday: noon – 6 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Platelet pheresis donation (call 1-800-589-8127 or 260-480-8299 to schedule a platelet donation):
Monday: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – noon
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)
Traditional whole blood or platelet pheresis donation (no platelet pheresis on Wednesdays): **
Monday through Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon *
* 2nd Thursday of the month: noon - 6 p.m.