April 11-12 blood drive set for DePauw Union Building

Area individuals and organizations can share in honoring America's volunteers this spring by donating blood at a Greencastle area blood drive scheduled April 11-12.

National Volunteer Week, which runs April 10 to 16, celebrates the millions of people who dedicate themselves to taking action to help better their communities.

"Everywhere you look, you'll find a story about ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things through volunteer service, including blood donation," said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. "And that's cause for celebration."

Putnam County area residents can celebrate by donating blood on Monday, April 11 or Tuesday, April 12 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the ballroom of the DePauw University Union Building, 313 S. Locust St. Donors' names will be entered on a daily drawing to win a $100 Visa gift card.

At the American Red Cross, volunteers constitute 96 percent of the total work force needed to carry out the organization's humanitarian mission. Approximately 155,000 volunteers assist Red Cross staff in collecting 40 percent of the nation's blood supply from about 4 million volunteer blood donors. In addition, more than a half million people a year deliver Red Cross services in areas such as disaster relief, health and safety training, and support to military members and their families.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, persons may call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information.