COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Oct. 7, 2019) — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood or platelets to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and more than 268,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Many patients with cancer need multiple blood product transfusions. Cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy may require red blood cell or platelet transfusions. In fact, more than half of all platelets collected by the Red Cross are used by patients with cancer. Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are needed to ensure a stable supply for cancer patients and others this fall. Appointments can be made by downloading the free 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.

As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31:

Carroll – 10/23/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Church, 24336 Hwy 30

Manning – 10/18/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., IKM Manning High School, 209 10th Street

Atlantic – 10/22/2019: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Atlantic High School, 1201 East 14th Street; 10/29/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cass County Memorial Hospital, 1501 E. 10th Street

Sidney – 10/18/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Sidney United Faith Church, 1975 US Hwy 275

Dunlap – 10/16/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Boyer Valley High School, 1102 Iowa Ave.

Woodbine – 10/29/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Woodbine High School, 501 Weare St

Pacific Junction – 10/26/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Loess Hills Harley-Davidson Inc., 57408 190th St

Red Oak – 10/28/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Montgomery County Hospital, 2301 Eastern Ave

Shenandoah – 10/28/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 701 S. Fremont St., Hwy 59

Underwood – 10/29/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Underwood High School, 629 North Street

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.