As summer begins and people gather for holiday celebrations, the American Red Cross reminds communities that patients are counting on blood and platelet donors, especially around the Fourth of July.
The Red Cross sees about a 21% decline in donations during holiday weeks, including Independence Day. When those drop, so does the blood supply, making it challenging to ensure blood is available when hospitals and patients, like 4-year-old Olivia Enders of West Linn, need it.
Olivia was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in August 2021. She has received 20 blood transfusions as part of her treatment.
“We often think of transfusions for emergencies but forget about the need for blood transfusion for people and children battling long term diseases and cancers,” her mother, Sarah Enders, said. “Every transfusion gives Olivia another chance at life and continued success at battling her cancer and being a kid again,”
Donors who give between June 30 and July 10 will receive an exclusive Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag, while supplies last.
Mid-valley blood drives on those dates include:
— Thursday, June 30: noon to 5 p.m. at LDS – Corvallis Stake, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd., Corvallis.
— Friday, July 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers Albany, 1895 14th Ave. SE, Albany; 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Meyer, 777 NW Kings Blvd., Corvallis; and noon to 5 p.m. at Heritage Mall, 1895 14th Ave. SE, Albany.
— Saturday, July 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Timberhill Shopping Center, 2335 NW Kings Blvd., Corvallis.
— Tuesday, July 5: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grocery Outlet, 1755 NW Ninth St., Suite 110, Corvallis; and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 432 Ferry St. SW, Albany.
— Wednesday, July 6: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Safeway, 1990 14th Ave. SE, Albany; and noon to 5 p.m. at LBCC Lebanon Healthcare Occupations Center, 300 Mullins Drive, Lebanon.
— Friday, July 8: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2650 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis; and 1 to 6 p.m. at Grace Point Church at the Nazarene, 230 Clover Ridge Road, Albany.
Other dates include:
— Wednesday, June 29: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Wells Fargo, 1266 15th Ave., Sweet Home.
— Thursday, July 21: noon to 5 p.m. at Sweet Home Senior Center, 880 18th Ave., Sweet Home.
To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1 (800) RED CROSS (1 (800) 733-2767).