Having provided comfort and aid to those in need since 1881, the Red Cross quickly adopted Blood Services as a fundamental part of its humanitarian mission. Started as a war relief effort to provide life-saving blood for soldiers during World War II, Red Cross Blood Services has grown to become an industry leader — collecting and distributing half the nation's blood supply.

All the technology and science, however, is only made possible by one simple selfless act: An average person takes time out of his busy schedule to give a piece of himself so that someone he will never know has a chance to live.

This incredible act of kindness, that allows a stranger to celebrate another birthday, give birth to a child, or share another Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, is at the heart of what we do.
Since establishing the first civilian blood service after World War II, the American Red Cross has been a leader in blood collection, safety and development. Today, the safety and availability of the blood supply is our highest priority. And our national research center, the Jerome H. Holland Laboratory, is one of the foremost blood research facilities in the world.

Today's Red Cross blood program is the legacy of Dr. Charles Drew, a hematologist, surgeon, educator and scientist whose pioneering work in blood collection, plasma processing and transfusion therapy laid the foundation for modern blood banking.

To all the volunteer blood donors, we thank you on behalf of the lives of those patients you have saved, and all their grateful loved ones. You are the true definition of a hero.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to providing the community with a safe and reliable blood supply.  Blood is a precious resource for which there is no substitute.  With the life span of blood cells as little as 5 days for platelets and 42 days for red cells, the American Red Cross depends on healthy members of the community to give blood each and every day.  Blood donated through Red Cross Blood Services is given by volunteer donors who do not accept monetary reimbursement for their donations.  Volunteer blood donors contribute 98% of blood and blood components transfused in this country.  To meet the total demand for blood and blood products, more than 38,000 donors are needed daily.

At least one of every ten hospital patients requires a blood transfusion.  Patients undergoing surgery are among the leading users of blood and blood products; other patients requiring a large volume of blood and blood products are those with diagnoses of cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease and trauma.

Giving Blood is Safe and Easy! 

• Your body quickly replaces the blood you give. 

• It is safe and easy to donate blood.  An hour is all it takes to give blood to save another's life.  The actual donation time is less than ten minutes. 

• If you are age 17 or over and weigh at least 110 pounds, you are eligible to donate blood. Some states require a parent's written consent if you are under 18.  If you are age 66 or over, you may be accepted as a donor, after your health history is evaluated at the blood collection site. 

• You may give blood every 56 days, up to six times in a twelve month period. 

• The Red Cross collects blood only from voluntary donors.  

Schedule: Dates, times and places of bloodmobile may change due to unavoidable circumstances. 

Click here for a calendar showing planned blood drives or call or e-mail Wendy Bunner at (304) 263-5241, WBunner@EasternPanhandleARC.org.