Fort Wayne area college alumni clubs are teaming up with the American Red Cross for a friendly competition and they invite the community to show school spirit and help save lives at the Alumni Blood Battle. This blood drive will take place Tuesday, August 27, noon to 6 p.m. at Parkview Field Lincoln Financial Event Center in Fort Wayne with a goal to collect 75 blood donations.
Area alumni organizations are sponsoring the event, including alumni clubs for Ball State University, Butler University, Indiana University, University of Norte Dame and Purdue University. Community members are invited to give blood and vote for their favorite school. Each vote for a school will help the school’s alumni club earn scholarship dollars. The club that recruits the most blood donations will be named the winner of the competition. The winner of the battle will be announced at the Fort Wayne TinCaps game Wednesday, August 28.
“What better way to use college rivalry then to help hospital patients in need,” said Jacob Benedict, representative from the Notre Dame Alumni Club. “Our hope is that no matter what school you root for, we can all roll up a sleeve together to make a difference for patients this summer.”
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces an emergency blood shortage. Blood donors are needed now to help avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients this summer. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations are immediately needed to help replenish the blood supply.
“Hospital patients don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing lifesaving blood,” said Chris Hursh, donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross. “That’s why summer blood donations are vitally important.”
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide, including 80 hospitals in Indiana.
Those who come to give blood with the Red Cross from July 29 to August 29 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email on behalf of Amazon.
Fort Wayne Alumni Blood Battle
Tuesday, August 27, noon to 6 p.m.
Parkview Field Lincoln Financial Event Center
1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802
To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code: fwalumni
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.
