Alert: Critical need for blood and platelet donors

The American Red Cross is asking the public to kick off 2020 by doing something big: Give blood or platelets now to address the critical need for blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors.

A shortfall in donations can cause delays in care

The family of 12-year-old Dagan Hawkins, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November, knows this all too well. “While at the hospital, Dagan needed platelet and blood transfusions,” said Dustin Hawkins, Dagan’s father. “There was a time when platelets had to be delivered from another location because they were not available.”

You can help restock the shelves

1. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting orgor calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
2. Let your friends and family know there is a critical need for blood and platelet donors and ask them to #GiveNow.
3. Bring someone to donate with you.

Your support can help ensure blood products are there for patients going through cancer treatments, trauma victims, premature babies and others who depend on transfusions for survival.

Be a champion for patients in need

To help tackle the current critical need for blood and platelets, the Red Cross has teamed up with the NFL to offer one lucky winner the chance to experience the Super Bowl live in Miami. Those who come to give Jan. 1-19, 2020, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LIV getaway for two. The Super Bowl LIV getaway package includes two tickets to Super Bowl LIV, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, two tickets to Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, round-trip airfare to Miami and three-night hotel accommodations (Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2020), and a $500 gift card for expenses. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

Don’t wait to help. Make your game plan to give now and help save lives.

#GivingTuesday: Support Red Cross to Help Someone Affected by Disaster Every Eight Minutes

 

Following a year of disasters affecting thousands of people in Massachusetts and across the country, the American Red Cross in Massachusetts asks everyone to help provide relief and comfort on Giving Tuesday by donating at redcross.org/gift.

“Every eight minutes, someone affected by a disaster in our country turns to the Red Cross for support,” said Holly Grant, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Massachusetts. “When people’s lives are upended by home fires and other crises, your support through our Holiday Campaign can provide necessities like emergency shelter, hot meals and blankets.”

FAMILIES FACE DISASTERS EVERY DAY This year, Red Cross volunteers have been by the sides of families affected by large events like wildfires in California, Hurricane Dorian on the East Coast, tropical storm flooding in Texas, and tornadoes and floods in the Midwest. On average, the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster every 14 days in the U.S. — on top of responding each year to tens of thousands of smaller disasters like home fires, which account for most of the 62,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

In the past 18 months, Massachusetts volunteers responded to more than 7,000 people who were put out of their homes because of a local disaster. In the past 6 months alone, Red Cross volunteers responded to nearly 200 home fires, helping over 1,500 Massachusetts residents address their urgent needs like lodging, food and emotional support.

HOW TO HELP ON #GIVINGTUESDAY People can #GiveWithMeaning on Giving Tuesday (December 3) and throughout the holiday season by donating at redcross.org/gift:

• Help disaster victims: A gift of $50 can deliver hot meals for five people or provide blankets for 10 people after a disaster, or a larger donation of $100 can provide a family of two with a full day’s worth of emergency shelter, including meals, snacks, blankets, cots and hygiene supplies.
• Help military members and veterans: Meanwhile, a donation of $50 can help connect veterans and their families to critical community services, such as food, housing, mental health support and rehabilitation. A larger gift of $145 can provide hospital kits, filled with toiletries and other essentials, for 20 service members.
• Help save lives internationally: People can also help save lives through our work with the Measles & Rubella Initiative, which provides vaccinations for children and educates families about the dangers of measles and rubella. A gift of $100 can help provide lifesaving vaccinations for 100 children facing an increased risk of measles and rubella around the world.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE The holidays are a difficult time to collect blood because of busy schedules and inclement weather. Still, the need for blood is constant to help accident victims, cancer patients and others who rely on lifesaving blood products every day. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by visiting redcrossblood.org.