Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive Highlights Need for Diverse Blood Supply

The American Red Cross will host the 13th annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive on Saturday, June 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Red Cross Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. 

Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive attendees can take part in family-friendly events including a scavenger hunt, line dance performances by the Sistahs4Life and a sickle cell disease discussion panel featuring Marcia Taylor, executive director of Oregon’s Sickle Cell Anemia Fondation. All those coming to donate will receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Diversity among blood donors is important because red blood cells carry markers that determine blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Patients are less likely to experience complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.

The Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive occurs at a time when the Red Cross urges those who have never given blood before – as well as those who haven’t given recently – to make an appointment to give. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients. All those who come to donate from May 14 to June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

Dr. Drew, known as the “father of the blood bank,” was an African American surgeon, educator and scientist who helped shape the blood services industry. In the 1940s, he laid the groundwork for today’s modern blood donation program through his innovative work in blood banking. The Red Cross blood program started in 1940, under the leadership of Drew who became the Red Cross’ first medical director in 1941.

To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD

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.