WICHITA, Kan. (Aug. 24, 2020) – During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.
Cancer and cancer treatments can put patients at risk for low red blood cell and platelet counts. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, lowering the production of red blood cells and platelets. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma attack the bone marrow as well. Blood transfusions can enable patients to receive critical treatments needed to fight and survive cancer.
Blood donations are needed to ensure blood products are available for pediatric cancer patients and others throughout this pandemic. As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 4-8 will receive a pair of Red Cross branded socks, while supplies last!
Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Blood drives are also essential in helping ensure blood is available for patients this winter. To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive this fall and winter, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Who blood donations help
Ansley Gilich is an outgoing, kind, funny and very smart 7-year-old who enjoys dancing and singing with her family and friends. Earlier this year, Ansley was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia – the most common type of childhood cancer – and has needed blood products during treatment.
“She is beautiful inside and out and is kicking cancer’s butt like the little warrior princess that she is,” said Michelle Gilich, Ansley’s mother, who joined family to host a blood drive to give back to other patients who also need blood. “We know there’s a need for blood products due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we want to help as much as we can.”
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-15
Allen
Iola
9/8/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Iola North Community Building, 505 N. Buckeye
9/9/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Iola North Community Building, 505 N. Buckeye
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Butler
El Dorado
9/8/2020: 11:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 430 Eunice
Towanda
9/14/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wilber Wiens Community Center, 315 Main Street
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Chautauqua
Cedar Vale
9/8/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Caney River Cowboy Church, 802 Cedar Street
Sedan
9/14/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sedan Community Building, 1000 N. Montgomery
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Cowley
Arkansas City
9/11/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Christian Church, 206 W Central
9/12/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6582 322nd Road
Winfield
9/10/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1000 Millington
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Crawford
Pittsburg
9/1/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Countryside Christian Church, 1901 East 4th
9/3/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Masonic Lodge Pittsburg, 3105 N. Joplin
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Labette
Chetopa
9/2/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mae Lessley Community Center, 1st and Maple
Oswego
9/11/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oswego Senior Center, 723 Commercial
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Montgomery
Coffeyville
9/2/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Coffeyville Community College, 11th and Willow
9/10/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 304 W. 9th
9/11/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 304 W. 9th
Independence
9/3/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 S. Penn
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Neosho
Chanute
9/15/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Central Park Pavilion, 101 S. Forest St.
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Sumner
Caldwell
9/12/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Caldwell Community Building, 119 E 1st
Oxford
9/8/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Christian Church, 120 West Clark, PO Box 578
Wellington
9/11/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 201 E Harvey
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Wilson
Fredonia
9/10/2020: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Madison St
Thomas
Colby
9/15/2020: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Methodist Church, 950 S Franklin
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How to donate blood
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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.