CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The American Red Cross and Southeast Missouri State University are encouraging everyone to step up to the challenge by donating blood at the annual Spring Greek Week Blood Drive, March 24-27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center, 750 New Madrid, in Cape Girardeau.
The university is inviting all students, staff, faculty and residents of the Cape and southeastern Missouri area to rally around this annual lifesaving cause. Last year’s blood drive collected over 750 donations and with the student body and community’s continued support, university officials hope to surpass that this year.
“The partnership with the university to organize this annual blood drive is truly inspiring and it is what makes this event a success year after year,” said Micheal Sullivan, Executive Director, Red Cross of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. “The student leaders do a great job in getting everyone on campus excited and involved in this lifesaving cause.”
With the transition to spring, the Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to continue to strengthen the national blood supply. People of all blood types, especially those with type O blood, are critical to ensuring hospitals can meet the daily demand for lifesaving transfusions.
Those who come out to donate on the first day of the drive will receive a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card as a thank you. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details. Those who come to donate between March 25 – April 7 will receive an exclusive GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE Red Cross shirt (limited quantity available).
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit RedCrossBlood.org, and enter sponsor code: SEMOGreekWeek, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
New Blood Donor Rewards program
Since announcing an emergency blood shortage in early January, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross launched an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors are now able to earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.