The need is constant.
The gratification is instant.
Give blood.TM
Get going this summer by donating blood
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Blood donations often decline during summer months while the need for blood remains constant. This summer, those that make the time to give blood or platelets through the American Red Cross can participate in the Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion and have a chance to win a trip for four to Orlando, Florida!
All presenting donors (ages 21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division between May 16 and September 7, 2011 can have a chance to win the trip each time they visit a Red Cross blood drive. Presenting donors of all ages are eligible to win other fun summer prizes during specific holiday timeframes.
If you're eligible, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment to donate and have a chance to win a trip for four to Orlando!
Like mother, like daughter: A story about the constant need for blood
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Susan Nissen lived with severe, unrelenting sinus, skin and lung infections. At age 40, she was diagnosed with primary immune deficiency, a disease that occurs in persons with an immune system that is either absent or hampered in its ability to function. Susan began IVIG treatments (intravenous immune globulin) to boost her immune system and prevent her recurrent infections. Within six months her health completely turned around.
Susan feared the worst when her own baby daughter, Kathleen, started to have reoccurring infections and was diagnosed with the same disease. She began treatment with antibiotics but later needed IVIG, requiring her to miss an entire day of school. Kathleen eventually was able to start subcutaneous home infusions and now "after two hours we just unplug and go!" Susan said.
Kathleen is now seven-years-old and because of the life-saving infusions that this mother/daughter duo receives, they are able to live fairly normal lives. "We are alive today because of generous blood donors. Together, we rely on 70 donors per month to receive this life-saving treatment. We are so grateful we don't have to live like the "boy in the plastic bubble," says Susan.
Everyone is a winner when you host a youth Live. Give. Life. blood drive this summer
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This summer, 16- to 19-year-olds have a unique opportunity to hang out with their friends and help save lives at the same time.
From June 6 – August 13, those that host a Live. Give. Life. blood drive will be recognized for their efforts with a Ticketmaster gift card! Donors at these drives also have a chance to win one of the following items: Music Downloads, Kindle Reader™, Mini Portable Speaker and Netbook!
Hosting a Live. Give. Life blood drive is easy and rewarding. Visit LiveGiveLife.org for more information.
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World Red Cross Day
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated every May 8th on the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
World Red Cross Day is celebrated to emphasize the hard work that all National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies dedicate worldwide for the relief of human distress and misery occurring due to disease, famine, disaster or war.
You can celebrate World Red Cross Day and World Red Crescent Day in a variety of ways including supporting Red Cross programs and efforts, making a donation to the Red Cross, donating blood, becoming a Red Cross volunteer or thanking Red Cross volunteers for their service.
Red Cross Racing speeds into 2011
The green flag has waved on Red Cross Racing 2011! The American Red Cross is proud to partner with 3M and Roush Fenway Racing for the fourth consecutive year to bring Red Cross Racing to dedicated blood donors nationwide.
This year's theme is "Give Blood. Get Points. WIN BIG!" Some exciting changes include new prizes, an updated point system and reward points no longer expire. Learn more and sign up to accrue points at redcrossracing.com.
Thank you for spreading the word!
Lori Dean from Nekoosa, Wisc. is the March eNewsletter raffle winner of a Red Cross Vintage T-shirt. Thanks to all of the American Red Cross donors who forwarded the March eNewsletter to at least five friends and helped spread the word about the Red Cross and blood donation!
You could be a winner this month. Everyone who forwards this eNewsletter to at least five people using the "Send to a Friend" feature above will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a Red Cross water bottle.
Sounding Off:
We wish we could list all the great feedback we get from donors, but there's only so much room. Here's one testimonial from a faithful donor.
Give and give again!
"I have type O positive blood. Being a regular donor is not just an obligation, but a privilege. It is one way to give back to others in need that can make such a difference...it can save a life. To me, it is also a spiritual experience knowing that I can touch another in such a profound way!"
©2011 The American National Red Cross, 2025 E Street NW, Washington DC, 20006.