MILWAUKEE (June 12, 2024) — Join the American Red Cross at the Milwaukee County Zoo Blood Drive, Monday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the zoo’s Peck Center, 10001 W. Bluemound Road. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. All presenting donors will receive free same-day zoo admission, parking, and two free tickets to Summerfest, while supplies last. Blood and platelet donors are critically needed right now to combat a drastic shortfall in donations over the last several weeks. “Summer is typically a time when blood donations slow down, but the need for blood doesn’t take a summer vacation,” said Mark Thomas, CEO and Regional Executive for the Red Cross of Wisconsin. “Someone needs blood every two seconds, so having a stable blood supply is really critical. We urge people to roll up their sleeves and donate to help save lives.” Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets. Those with types O, A negative, and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. The American Red Cross provides roughly 40% of the nation’s blood supply and needs to collect about 12,500 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Those who come to give June 10-30, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details.
How to donate blood
To make an appointment, 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. 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.
