Sept. 25, 2013. The American Red Cross and Appalachian State University are calling on Mountaineer supporters to help save lives and break the school’s blood collection record. Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. ASU is helping to make sure that blood is available by sponsoring the 7th annual Homecoming Blood Drive with the Red Cross today until 7 p.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center at Appalachian State University.
Appalachian is trying to break its own record of 1,313 pints of blood, which the school collected at last year’s Homecoming Blood Drive. In addition, the Mountaineers hold the record for the largest single-day blood collection in North Carolina and are ranked in the top 10 nationally.
This year, donors will receive gifts such as:
- A special ASU blood drive tee shirt
- a Sports Clips coupon for a free haircut
- a chance to win a $1,000 gift card
- great food provided by local businesses and entertainment by various groups
The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.
Why Give Blood?
Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Who Can Donate?
Blood can be donated safely every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
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 life 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross
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