Cancer patients use more blood than those fighting any other disease
American Red Cross and American Cancer Society partner to inspire people
to help patients and Give Blood to Give Time
WEBER, Utah (Feb. 10, 2020) – Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply. That’s why this February, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time, ensuring loved ones have the strength and support to battle cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 11,900 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Utah this year. Many of these people will likely have a need for blood.
“A loved one’s cancer diagnosis often makes families and friends feel helpless. That’s why the Give Blood to Give Time partnership with the American Cancer Society is so important,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer, American Red Cross. “When someone donates blood or platelets or makes a financial gift, they are helping to give patients and their families time, resources and the hope they need to fight back.”
To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment or make a financial gift, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.
Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the problem. Blood products are often needed. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the United States give blood. More people are needed to donate regularly to help meet the need.
“The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story,” said Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
Individuals can honor their loved ones by making a blood donation appointment or financial contribution at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.
Who blood donations help
In April 2015, Stephenie Perry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma exactly 10 days before her commencement ceremony from graduate school. One week after commencement, treatments began. During chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, she needed blood and platelet transfusions.
“I don't even know how many units of blood I've received,” she said. “But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.”
Last February, Perry received the good news that her cancer is in remission. The next day, her then-boyfriend, Justin Perry, proposed to her – just in time for Valentine’s Day. They talked about marriage while she battled cancer, but they wanted to wait until she was in remission. Justin Perry said he didn’t want to go another day without asking her to marry him. They were married in September.
Her red blood cell counts still get low at times. When that happens, she goes in for another blood transfusion.
“I think it’s safe to say that my successful battle with cancer depended upon complete strangers and their donated blood. For this, I am grateful,” Stephenie Perry said. “Sometimes I hear stories from friends about people who are scared of needles or afraid to donate blood. I wish I could stand face-to-face with those people and tell them there is nothing scary about saving a life – a life like mine.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Davis
Bountiful
2/13/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful Utah Orchard Stake, 3707 So 800 West
Clearfield
2/10/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Clearfield City Offices, 55 South State
2/18/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Smith Optics, 13 F Freeport Center
Clinton
2/20/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Clinton Utah North Stake, 2223 North 1000 West
Layton
2/27/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Utah Kays Creek Stake, 2680 E. Cherry Lane
2/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Utah West Stake, 1750 W 1600 N
North Salt Lake
2/15/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Unity Baptist Church, 1170 West 1000 North
North Salt Lake
2/20/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., North Salt Lake Parkway Stake, 55 East 350 North
North Salt Lake
2/28/2020: 10 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Lexington Law, 330 N Cutler Drive
Syracuse
2/21/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Syracuse West Stake, 1600 South 4500 West
Woods Cross
2/13/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Woods Cross Utah North Stake Apple Chapel, 790 West 1500 South
Salt Lake
Draper
2/19/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Smart Rhino Labs, 12244 Business Park Drive, #270
Herriman
2/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Herriman Utah South Stake, 14550 South Juniper Crest Road, Stake Center
2/28/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Herriman High School, 11917 South Mustang Trail Way
Kearns
2/18/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kearns West Stake, 6157 Borax Avenue
Murray
2/13/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Murray Utah North Stake Center, 5200 S. Glendon St.
2/27/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Murray Utah South Stake, 5600 South Vine Street
Riverton
2/17/2020: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Riverton YSA Stake, 12574 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City
2/10/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., VA Medical Center, 500 South Foothill Blvd.
2/10/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., ICU Medical, 4455 Atherton Dr
2/10/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., City Academy Charter School, 555 East 200 South
2/11/2020: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Granger High School, 3580 South 3600 West
2/11/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., LDS Hospital, 8th Avenue and C Street
2/11/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shriners Hospital for Children, 1275 Fairfax Road
2/11/2020: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Utah State Capitol, Utah State Capitol Building
2/12/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veteran's First Mortgage, 124 N. Charles Lindberg Dr.
2/13/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Health Science Education Building, Health Science Education Building, 26 South 2000 East
2/13/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Pioneer Stake, 1401 W. 700 S.
2/14/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 175 S. West Temple, 175 South West Temple, Suite 600
2/14/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Empire Solar Group, 9 E. Exchange Place, Suite 400
2/17/2020: 2:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., St. Ann Catholic Church, 450 East 2100 South
Salt Lake City
2/19/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Ensign Stake, 135 A Street
Salt Lake City
2/20/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sugar House Boys & Girls Club, 968 Sugarmont Drive
2/20/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Rose Park Stake, 760 North 1200 West
2/21/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cottonwood High School, 5715 South 1300 East
2/24/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Salt Lake Community College (Redwood Campus), 4600 S. Redwood Road
2/24/2020: 9:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Intermountain Healthcare, 36 South State
2/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Unico Properties LLC, 250 E 200 S, Suite 150
2/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Marks Hospital, 1200 East 3900 South, South Parking Lot
2/25/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., LDS Business College - Triad Ctr, 95 North 300 West
2/25/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salt Lake Wilford Stake Fisher Lane Building, 2220 East Fisher Lane
2/26/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Progrexion, 257 east 200 south
2/26/2020: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Marks Hospital, 1200 East 3900 South, South Parking Lot
2/26/2020: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Calvary Chapel of Salt Lake, 460 West Century Drive
2/27/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salt Lake Granite Stake, 2465 South 800 East, Fairmont Building
2/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Salt Lake Winder Stake, 4670 South 1590 East
2/29/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Physician Assistant Conference, 383 South University Street E
South Jordan
2/13/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., AutoPoint, 10808 South River Front Parkway, suite 500
2/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., South Jordan River Stake, 1249 West Country Creek Drive
West Jordan
2/20/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Utah Prairie Stake, 7337 South Grizzly Way
West Jordan
2/26/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Cobble Creek Stake, 8150 Grizzly Way
2/27/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., SnugZ USA, 9258 S. Prosperity Rd. (6200 W.)
2/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Jordan Copper Hills Stake, 5176 West Parr Drive
West Valley City
2/13/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Jordan North Stake, 3900 S. 4000 W.
West Valley City
2/27/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salt Lake Jordan Stake, 3676 W. 4700 S
2/29/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Valley Fair Mall, 3601 South 2700 West, Suite G-128
Utah
Alpine
2/24/2020: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fort Canyon Young Single Adult Ward, 98 East Canyon Crest Road
American Fork
2/29/2020: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove Manila Creek Stake, 835 North 900 East
Cedar Hills
2/13/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Charleston/MBK, 10020 North 4600 West
Highland
2/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Highland Utah Stake/Avonmore Bldg, 5848 West 11000 North
Lehi
2/10/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Alpine Bible Church, 310 E. State Street
2/18/2020: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Lehi High School, 180 N. 500 E.
2/22/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lehi Utah Willow Park Stake, 1929 West 1500 North
2/29/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lehi Utah Central Stake, 200 N. Center Street
Mapleton
2/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mapleton Utah Stake, 970 N. 400 E.
Orem
2/11/2020: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Utah Valley University, 800 West University Parkway, Mail Stop #197
2/12/2020: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Utah Valley University, 800 West University Parkway, Mail Stop #197
2/13/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Orem Sunset Heights Stake, 1260 South 400 West
2/24/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Orem YSA 1st Stake - North Building, 864 West 800 South, North Building
2/28/2020: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Orem Utah Orchard Stake - Stake Center, 810 E. 600 N.
Pleasant Grove
2/11/2020: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove High School, 700 East 200 South
2/20/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Pleasant Grove Utah Garden Stake, 745 North 600 West
Provo
2/12/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Provo City Offices, 351 West Center
2/12/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Provo Utah Married Student 1st Stake, 1600 N. 900 E
2/18/2020: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Utah State Hospital, 1300 East Center
2/18/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Wilkinson Center, Wilkinson Center, BYU Campus
2/22/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sharon East Stake, 2400 North 1060 East
Salem
2/13/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Salem West - Knoll Park Chapel, 160 S. 460 W.
Saratoga Springs
2/12/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake, 612 W Pony Express Pkwy
2/18/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saratoga Springs Utah Stake, 49 W. Tanner Lane
Spanish Fork
2/13/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Landmark High School, 612 South Main Street
2/24/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Spanish Fork Utah YSA Stake 1138 W, 1138 West 100 South
Springville
2/15/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Springville Utah Spring Creek Stake, 235 E 550 North
2/27/2020: 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Reagan Academy, 1143 W Center St
Weber
Hooper
2/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake, 4979 South 5100 West
2/26/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hooper Stake, 5601 South 6100 West
North Ogden
2/11/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., ARW Engineers, 1594 West Park Circle
Ogden
2/10/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/11/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/12/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/12/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Zions Bank, 2302 Washington Blvd
2/14/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lincoln Elementary School, 1235 N. Canfield
2/14/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wayfair, 550 Depot Dr
2/18/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Ogden Utah Stake, 1050 E 21st Street
2/19/2020: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ogden Weber North Stake, 4100 West 900 South
2/26/2020: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., McKay Dee Hospital Center, 4401 South Harrison Blvd.
2/27/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., South Ogden Utah Pleasant Valley Stake, 5640 S. 850 E.
West Haven
2/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Regal Country Building, 3939 West 4000 South
How to donate blood
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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.
