Red Cross and actor James Van Der Beek urge Americans to give blood and make it a summer full of life

Red Cross is thanking donors with T-shirts and a chance to win a travel trailer camper, powered by Suburban Propane

May 10, 2021 — The American Red Cross along with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, have joined together to urge all who are healthy to make this a summer full of life for patients by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets.

As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic and people begin to return to some of their favorite activities, the Red Cross is concerned about the impact this could have on blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer. The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break. It’s critical to have blood ready to go when every second counts.

The Van Der Beek family knows firsthand how important blood donations are in a health crisis. In the past year, Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses. Each time she needed emergency hospital care and blood transfusions to save her life.

“Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” said James Van Der Beek. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”

Hemorrhaging is the leading cause of pregnancy-related complications that can occur anytime during pregnancy. “In instances of severe bleeding, blood transfusions often play a lifesaving role,” said Dr. Ross Herron, divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “For mothers with complicated pregnancies or deliveries, generous donors are the only source of the transfusions they may need to survive.”

“If you’ve never given blood before, allow this to be your formal invitation. Will you please give blood?,” added Kimberly Van Der Beek.

Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In thanks for making it a summer full of life, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will automatically be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five*, powered by Suburban Propane, via their SuburbanCares initiative. The Red Cross is also thanking those who come to donate May 28-June 13 with a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.

“Suburban Propane is honored to partner with the American Red Cross and actor James Van Der Beek on their summer campaign to help bring attention to the need for blood donations,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson for Suburban Propane. “Our SuburbanCares corporate pillar highlights our continued dedication to giving back to our local communities and through this platform, we support a host of community outreach initiatives throughout the nation; including our national partnership with the American Red Cross. It is our hope that this promotion for a chance to win a travel (trailer) camper will encourage donors to show their support and to help fulfill the need for blood collection.”

Health insights for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 16-June 13

Perry

Junction City

5/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St.

Somerset

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

Thornville

6/5/2021: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street

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Athens

Athens

5/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

5/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

5/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

5/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

6/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

6/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sojourners Athens, 5 N Shafer Street

6/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

6/10/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

Stewart

5/21/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Federal Hocking High School, 8461 St Rt 144

The Plains

6/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd

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Coshocton

Coshocton

5/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Coshocton Inn & Suites, 155 North Water Street

5/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

5/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

6/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

6/2/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

West Lafayette

5/25/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kirk Street Event Center, 113 S. Kirk Street

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Fairfield

Baltimore

6/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Grove Community Christian Church, 3420 Blacklick Eastern Rd.

Bremen

5/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bremen United Methodist Church, 205 Walnut St

Lancaster

5/24/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Crossroads, 2095 W. Fair Ave

5/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Johns Family Community Blood Drive, 343 E. Walnut St.

6/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 343 E. Walnut St.

6/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 343 E. Walnut St.

Millersport

6/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Millersport Lions Club, 2900 Chautauqua Blvd

Pickerington

5/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Road NW

5/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW

5/24/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd. N.W.

6/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Road

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Logos Bible Church, 623 Hill Rd. N

6/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Road NW

Rushville

5/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lions Club Meeting Hall, 2960 Logan Thornville Road

Sugar Grove

5/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hide A Way Hills Club, 29042 Hide-A-Way Hills Rd

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Fayette

Jeffersonville

6/5/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 23 S. Main St.

Washington Court House

6/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Place

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Fayette Medical Center, 1510 Columbus Ave

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Guernsey

Byesville

5/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine, 60330 Southgate Road

5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Meadowbrook High School, 58615 Marietta Road

6/2/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60312 Southgate Road

Cambridge

5/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hampton Inn Cambridge, 8775 Georgetown Road

6/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Center United Methodist Church, 11026 State Route 22

Kipling

5/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Old Stoners Post 7371-Kipling, 61771 Primrose Lane

Lore City

6/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Buckeye Trail High School, 65555 Wintergreen Rd

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Harrison

Cadiz

5/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cadiz Volunteer Fire Department, 254 East Market Street

Freeport

6/8/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Antrim Mennonite Church, 20360 Cadiz Road

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Highland

Greenfield

5/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Greenfield Medical Center at Greenfield Area Christian Center, 910 N 5th Street

5/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chapel of Hope, 12986 St. Rt 41

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Licking

Etna

5/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street

Granville

5/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway

5/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., RevLocal, 4009 Columbus Road

Heath

5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St

Hebron

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron New Life United Methodist Church, 925 West Main ST

Johnstown

5/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St

Newark

5/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Highwater Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Road

5/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 76 East Main Street

5/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

5/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Licking County Chapter House, 143 South 30th Street

5/21/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

5/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

5/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

5/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking County Chapter House, 143 South 30th Street

5/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA, 470 West Church Street

5/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

6/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Chapter House, 143 South 30th Street

6/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

6/4/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

6/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., YMCA-Licking County, 470 W. Church St.

6/11/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

6/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Elks Lodge, 73 North Third Street

Pataskala

5/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW

5/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

6/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hosanna Lutheran Church, 7714 Hazelton-Etna Road

6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

6/9/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW

Utica

5/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue

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Madison

London

5/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairhaven School, 510 Elm St.

5/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Trinity Hall, 8530 Lilly-Chapel, Georgesville Rd SE

6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairhaven School, 510 Elm Street

Plain City

6/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church/Parish Activity Center, 140 West  Ave.

6/9/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Jerome Township Administrative Office, 9777 Industrial Parkway

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Morgan

Stockport

5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport United Methodist Church, 3455 Market St., P.O Box 116

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Muskingum

Frazeysburg

5/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road

Philo

5/23/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Harrison Twp Fire Department, 300 3rd Street

Zanesville

5/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

5/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

5/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Terrace Church of Christ, 1420 Brandywine Blvd

5/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

6/1/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

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Noble

Caldwell

6/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Community Center, 44187 Fairgrounds Rd

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Perry

Junction City

5/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St.

Somerset

6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

Thornville

6/5/2021: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street

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Pickaway

Circleville

5/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street

5/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Amvets, 818 Tarlton Road

5/28/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center, 777 E. Ohio St.

6/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickaway County District Public Library, 1160 North Court Street

6/4/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Amvets Post 2256-Circleville, 818 Tarlton Road

South Bloomfield

6/11/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Bloomfield Community Blood Drive, 5000 Park Place

Williamsport

6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crown Hill Golf Course, 9500 US-22

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Ross

Chillicothe

5/20/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

5/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zion Baptist Church - Mill St, 536 Mill St.

5/28/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

6/2/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Heritage Nazarene Church-Chillicothe Campus, 730 Orange St.

6/11/2021: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., iHeartMEDIA Blood Bash at the South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

6/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., iHeartMEDIA Blood Bash at the South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

Frankfort

5/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge #309, 23 W Springfield St.

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Tuscarawas

Newcomerstown

6/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 121 South College Street

About blood donation

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit  RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.

* Restrictions apply. Winner must provide tow vehicle with the appropriate tow capacity for use with the prize vehicle at all times, i.e., such as a full-sized truck or SUV, in order to take delivery of the prize (2021 Coachmen Clipper Cadet 21CBH, estimated at 5,000 pounds). Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SummerFullOfLife.

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