American Red Cross + Birmingham Barons team up to save lives in The Magic City [VIDEO]

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Did you know that the number of blood donations drops during the summer months? To help boost these numbers, Bham Now teamed up with the American Red Cross and the Birmingham Barons for the Home Run Hero Blood Drive. Here’s a look at this important event and the impact it will make for many. 

Behind the Home Run Hero Blood Drive

Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. Whether it’s needed for accident and burn victims, patients undergoing organ transplants or receiving treatment for a variety of diseases, blood is always in high demand. Unfortunately, the American Red Cross often sees blood supplies decline during the summer months. 

Why? Lots of reasons… volunteers may be out of town for vacation, parents might be busy watching their kids who are on summer break… Whatever the reason, summertime means a critical nationwide need for blood. 

To help increase donation numbers, the American Red Cross teamed up with the Birmingham Barons to host the Home Run Hero Blood drive on July 19-20. 

Check out the video below for a look at the drive.

The results

Thanks to the many volunteers and people who came out to support the American Red Cross and the Birmingham Barons during the Home Run Hero Blood drive, the event was a great success! 

Here are some must-knows:

• 95 units of blood were collected. This equates to nearly 190 lives touched and/or saved.
• There were 102 presenting donors. This includes all those who registered and attempted to donate blood.
• Volunteers played an important role in the event’s success. They assisted with registration, passed out incentive items and directed people to the blood drive. 

“We’re so grateful for all our sponsors and all the generous donors who came out to donate.”

American Red Cross

You can still donate!

The Home Run Hero Blood Drive may be over, but you still have many opportunities to become a blood donor. On average, the entire blood donation process takes about one hour from the time you arrive until the time you leave. The blood donation itself only takes around eight to 10 minutes!

“I give blood every two to three months and it’s one of the most rewarding actions I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve given over 60 times to the Red Cross. I do it because years ago, a friend of mine nearly lost her life while she was giving birth. She and her son would not be alive today if not for blood donors. It is easy to do and every time I see her family, it reminds me how important giving blood truly can be.”

Pat Byington, Blood Donor

To donate to American Red Cross, all you have to do is visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1.800.RED.CROSS or download the Blood Donor App to schedule your appointment today. Learn about the blood donation process here. 

Here’s where you can donate blood around Birmingham:

• Birmingham Blood Donation Center | 700 Caldwell Trace, Birmingham, AL 45242
• UAB Red Cross Blood Donation Center | 1802 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Levite Jewish Community Center | 3960 Montclair Rd, Birmingham, AL 35313
• Canterbury United Methodist | 350 Overbrook Rd, Birmingham, AL 35213
• Inverness Country Club | 1 Country Club Dr, Birmingham, AL 35242
• Pleasant Grove Community Center | 501 Park Rd, Pleasant Grove, AL 35217
• Grandview Medical Center | 3690 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243

Aren’t eligible to donate? Help spread the word by encouraging others to donate, or consider hosting a blood drive with support from American Red Cross.

Visit the American Red Cross website for more information.

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