Keep the blood supply blooming: Give blood or platelets now

This April, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy spring calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging winter, during which tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather. With upcoming holiday celebrations and record-breaking spring break travel expected in the coming weeks, donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets.

Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential to patient care. Spring plans can disrupt normal giving patterns, but the need for blood is constant.

Help hope bloom this spring – book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners. Additionally, those who come to give April 1-13, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. All who come to give later in the month, April 14-30, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details on all three offers.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 1-16

Forest
Wabeno
April 8, 2025: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Wabeno High School, 4325 N Branch St

Langlade

Antigo
April 17, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Antigo High School, 1900 10th Ave

Marathon
Mosinee
April 18, 2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 901 Eleventh St

Schofield
April 10, 2025: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., DC Everest High School, 6500 Alderson St
Wausau
April 8, 2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Universalist Unitarian Church, 504 Grant St
April 16, 2025: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thrive Church, 400 Grand Ave
April 25, 2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Peace United Church of Christ, 1530 Grand Ave
May 1, 2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 930 Edgewood Rd
Weston
April 22, 2025: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dale's Weston Lanes, 5902 Schofield Ave

Portage

Amherst
April 7, 2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 293 S Main St
Plover
April 30, 2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2000 Roosevelt Dr
Stevens Point
April 7, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 8, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 10, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 11, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 11, 2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stevens Point Area YMCA, 1000 Division St
April 14, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 15, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 16, 2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, 1015 Reserve St
April 17, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 18, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 21, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 22, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 24, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 25, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 28, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
April 29, 2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
May 1, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St
May 2, 2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stevens Point Blood Donation Center, 3201C Main St

Wood
Auburndale
April 24, 2025: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Auburndale High School, 10629 N Rd
Marshfield
April 21, 2025: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 750 S Central Ave
Pittsville
May 2, 2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lions Club

How to donate blood
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.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.