How to Help

There are several ways you can help. The first, and most direct one, is donating blood yourself. The safest and easiest way to do so is going to the American Red Cross or one of their blood drives. If you go to their website, http://www.redcross.org/blood, you can enter your zip code and find the nearest blood drive. 

There are several requirements you must fulfill in order to be able to donate blood which are:

1. Be in good overall health and feel well
2. Be at least 17 years old in most states (some exceptions apply depending on the state and parental consent)
3. Weigh at least 110 lbs.

These are the general requirements, but are not the only ones that exist. Several restrictions concerning diseases, vaccines, travel outside the U.S., and other things apply. A complete list of these can be found in the American Red Cross' website mentioned above.

If you are not eligible to donate, there are other ways you can help. The first, is that you can ask your friends and family if they could donate blood, if they are eligible. Another way you can help, is by volunteering at one of their blood drives. This way, you will be helping the cause and making a difference. To sign up for volunteering, go to this website: http://www.redcrossblood.org/volunteer. If you want to help out in a bigger scale, you can get in touch with the Red Cross and host your own blood drive! To host a blood drive, go to this website: http://www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive. 

You can make a difference! Donate Blood!

"Give Blood." Donate Blood. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014. 1 June 2014