Keep blood on the shelves for patients like young Noelle who had 3 transfusions during open-heart surgery
Portland, Ore. (February 1, 2023) — Spring is close, but February often brings unpredictable winter weather that can cause blood drive cancellations and make it difficult for donors to make it to their appointments safely. As the American Red Cross continues to monitor seasonal challenges that could impact the blood supply, donors are urged to make and keep appointments to help prevent a shortage in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – and platelet donors are needed daily to meet the needs of patients like 3-year-old Noelle of Forest Grove, Oregon, who needed three transfusions during an open-heart surgery. Her grandmother, Pamela Richardson of Eugene, has dedicated herself to donating blood as a thank you to those who saved her granddaughter’s life.
“They had to replace her blood three times. The whole surgical team thought they were going to lose this baby on the operating table. They just kept pumping her full of blood,” recalls Pamela. “She survived because people had donated blood that she could have.” Pamela adds, “Donating once every eight weeks is the least I can do to thank people and the health care community for saving her life.”
*Click here to see the complete video interview with Pamela Richardson.
In thanks for helping keep hospital shelves stocked, all who come to give in February will get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to donate this month will also automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/heart.
Protect the blood supply from dropping – book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 2-14
February 2
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16317 SE Bluff Rd., Sandy, OR, 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
February 3
Lloyd Center Mall, 2201 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Banks Fire District 13, 13430 NW Main St., Banks, OR, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond St. Suite 110, Bend, OR, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
February 6
Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SE Steele St., Portland, OR, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Kingpins PDX, 3550 SE 92nd Ave., Portland, OR, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Talent Community Center, 104 E Main St., Talent, OR, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
February 8
Clear Auto Center, 4000 SW Hocken Ave., Beaverton, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2194 SE Minter Bridge Rd., Hillsboro, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Elks Lodge, 350 Belton Rd., Saint Helens, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Mountain View High School, 1500 SE Blairmont, Vancouver, WA, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
February 14
Bank of America, 121 SW Morrison, Portland, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
River View Cemetery, 306 S. Taylor Ferry Rd., Portland, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10509 SE 5th St., Vancouver, WA, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Visit RedCrossBlood.org and put in your zip code to find a donation site near you.
*Click here for b-roll of people giving blood.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, 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.
*Oregon and Washington still require face masks be worn at all blood drives and donation sites.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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Come to give in January for chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona
Portland, OR (Jan. 23, 2023) — As National Blood Donor Month continues this January, the American Red Cross celebrates those who give blood and platelets to help save lives − especially now, as we work to ensure a stable blood supply amid the threat of icy winter weather and severe seasonal illness. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – and platelet donors are needed daily to meet demand.
The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect enough blood products, despite the constant demand. One in 7 patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion – yet only 3% of the public gives blood.
Don’t wait until there’s a crisis to donate. To book a time to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
In partnership with the National Football League (NFL), those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma through Jan. 31, 2023, will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona*, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13, 2023), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 23-31
January 24
Hotel Vance, 1455 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bateman Carroll, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January 25
Big Pink, 111 SW 5th Ave., Portland, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Abernathy Grange 346, 15745 Harley Ave., Oregon City, OR, 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Northwest Medical Homes, 2644 Suzanne Way, Eugene, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
January 26
Fred Meyer, 11565 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Happy Valley Library, 13793 SE Sieben Park Way, Happy Valley, OR, 10:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, 701 Black Oak Dr., Medford, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
January 27
Lloyd Center Mall, 2201 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR, 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 255 Maxwell Rd., Eugene, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January 30
Starbucks, 16798 SW Edy Rd., Sherwood, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
US Digital, 1400 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver, WA, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
City of Bend Police Dept., 555 NE 15th St., Bend, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
January 31
Vancouver Toyota, 10455 NE 53rd St., Vancouver, WA, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Even Hotel, 2133 Centennial Plaza, Eugene, OR, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lausmann Annex, 200 S Ivy St., Medford, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Visit RedCrossBlood.org and put in your zip code to find a donation site near you.
*Click here for b-roll of people giving blood.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, 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.
*Oregon and Washington still require face masks be worn at all blood drives and donation sites.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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*Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.
Nearly a dozen volunteers from OR and SW Washington join hundreds of others in CA
Portland, Ore (January 17, 2023) — The rain is finally ending in California after nine consecutive atmospheric rivers off the Pacific Ocean saturated the state since New Year’s Day. The back-to-back storms may leave behind more than a billion dollars in damage up and down the state after the devastating flooding, more than 500 landslides, closed highways, sinkholes and damage to infrastructure.
This would be the first billion-dollar disaster this year following the 18 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2022. As the number of climate-related disasters goes up, more people are depending on the American Red Cross. During 2020 and 2021 alone, we averaged a new, major disaster response every 10 days with Red Cross volunteers continuously on the ground, setting up shelters, arranging for hot meals and sheltering thousands of people with no place else to go.
More than 600 of American Red Cross disaster workers, including 11 from the Cascades Region, are helping people now with a safe place to stay, food to eat, relief supplies, emotional support and comfort. Here’s a look at the numbers so far:
The Red Cross will also be in California in the days and weeks to come, supporting people as they continue to recover from the storms.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations for Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
For those interested in helping people specifically affected by the storms and floods in California, we ask that they write “California storms & floods” in the memo line of a check and mail it to their local Red Cross chapter with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Find the donation form at redcross.org/donate.
VOLUNTEER
If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday and consider attending one of our open houses:
January 18, Roseburg Red Cross, 870 NE Alameda Avenue, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
January 25, Medford Red Cross, 1050 Crater Lake Ave Suite A, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
February 7, Eugene Red Cross, 440 E Broadway Suite 200, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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Those who come to give blood or platelets during National Blood Donor Month will be entered to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII
Portland, Ore (January 3, 2023) — This January, the American Red Cross and Pro Football Hall of Famer and blood donor Peyton Manning are asking people to score big for patients in need – while getting a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona – by giving blood or platelets.
The start of the new year marks National Blood Donor Month – a time to celebrate those who generously roll up a sleeve to keep blood products stocked for hospitals providing critical care. As the busy holiday season winds down and the threat of severe winter weather and seasonal illness cases continue to rise, January can be a tough time for donors to make and keep appointments.
Step off the sidelines and resolve to donate blood or platelets. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. In partnership with the National Football League (NFL), those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31, 2023, will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona*, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13, 2023), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.
To lead the offense against a potential winter blood shortage, Manning invites the public to join him in helping save lives. “If everyone does their part and we collectively commit to donating blood, we can stack up more wins for hospital patients who are counting on us. A single individual is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 9-31
January 10
Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Clatskanie High School, 471 Bel Air, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Vancouver Blood Donation Center, Vancouver, WA, 5109 NE 82nd Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
January 11
Chiles Center, 5000 N Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
LDS Church – Lakeridge, 1271 SW Overlook Dr., Lake Oswego, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Westside Community Church, 18390 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lithia & Driveway, 150 N Bartlett St., Medford, OR, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
January 14
Sunnyside Grange, 13130 SE Sunnyside, Clackamas, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Vancouver Blood Donation Center, Vancouver, WA, 5109 NE 82nd Ave., 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond St., Suite 110, Bend, OR, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
January 18
Compass Oncology, 1498 SE Tech Center Pl., Vancouver, WA, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
January 20
Eugene Faith Center, 1410 W. 13th Ave., Eugene, OR, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Suncrest Place Senior Living, 300 Suncrest Rd., Talent, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
January 25
Northwest Medical Homes-Suzanne Way, 2644 Suzanne Way, Eugene, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visit RedCrossBlood.org and put in your zip code to find a donation site near you.
*Click here for b-roll of people giving blood.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, 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.
*Oregon and Washington still require face masks be worn at all blood drives and donation sites.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
# # #
*Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for details.