CONNECTICUT, USA — The American Red Cross in Connecticut and the Connecticut State Elks Association are hosting blood drives at five Elks Lodge locations on Nov. 18. In this inaugural effort, the goal is to collect more than 200 lifesaving blood donations.
"We are pleased to partner with the Connecticut State Elks Association for this important day of blood drives across the state—five locations in a single day," said Patricia Sablitz, Regional Donor Services Executive for the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region in a press release. "The Elks are longtime supporters of blood drives and are deeply committed to making a positive difference in our community and saving lives."
The Red Cross said donations have a meaningful impact on patients requiring blood for surgeries, cancer treatments, and emergency care. The initiative also reflects the urgent need for blood.
According to the Red Cross, one in seven patients admitted to the hospital will require a blood transfusion. Emergency room visits tend to rise during the holidays— especially Thanksgiving— in part because of incidents like severe cuts, burns, car accidents, and heart-related emergencies.
Some of these incidents may require a blood transfusion. As visits to the ER increase, the number of blood donations often decreases. The Red Cross said this challenge is further compounded as hurricanes have mounted an overwhelming toll on Americans and forced thousands of blood products to go uncollected this fall.
People are encouraged to make an appointment to donate at one of the five participating Elks Lodges on Nov. 18 by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
These are the locations and details for the blood drive:
Milford Elks
12:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
124 New Haven Avenue
Milford, CT 06460
Sponsor Code: MilfordElksCT
Westbrook Elks
12:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
142 Seaside Avenue
Westbrook, CT 06498
Sponsor Code: Westbrook
Middletown Elks
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
44 Maynard Street
Middletown, CT 06457
Sponsor Code: Elks771
Rocky Hill Elks
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
825-C Cromwell Ave.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Sponsor Code: Rocky Hill
Southington Elks
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
114 Main Street
Southington, CT 06489
Sponsor Code: Southington
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card, driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. In Connecticut, individuals who are 16 years of age with parental consent, 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 must also meet certain height and weight requirements.
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Angelo Bavaro is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at abavaro@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook and X.
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