Give blood, get sunglasses: Red Cross encourages donations ahead of July 4th

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As the busy summer season kicks into high gear, the American Red Cross is urging donors to help maintain the blood supply by scheduling a blood or platelet donation between now and mid-July.

While all blood types are needed, there is an urgent need for Type O donors — especially O negative, which is critical in trauma cases when there’s no time to match blood types.

To encourage participation, the Red Cross is partnering with Goodr to offer a fun incentive.

All donors who give blood or platelets from July 1–14 will receive a free pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last.

The shades even come with a blood type sticker for personalization.

If you donate before June 30, you’ll receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email and be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.

To schedule a donation, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Upcoming Local Blood Drives (June 23–July 14)

Logan County

  • Belle Center – June 23, 12–6 p.m., Belle Center United Methodist Church
  • DeGraff – July 9, 12–5 p.m., DeGraff Baptist Church
  • Bellefontaine – July 14, 12–6 p.m., First United Methodist Church

Champaign County

  • Urbana – July 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., New Life Church of God of Prophecy

Donation Details

Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent where allowed), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health.

RapidPass® is available to speed up the donation process—visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history on the day of your appointment.