The Big Red Bus Comes to Boca Grande April 6
Donating blood saves lives. We all intrinsically know this. Yet, according to the American Red Cross, less than 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood annually.
The Boca Grande Health Clinic is sponsoring a blood donation event on Thursday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Big Red Bus® will be parked on Park Avenue, next to the Clinic. street in front of the Clinic.
Am I eligible to donate?
Most likely, yes. As long as you are in good health, there is no age limit for donating blood. You must be at least 16 years old (with signed parental consent) to donate; 17 years old or older do not require parental consent. Photo identification is required.
Ready to donate?
We are looking for at least 50 people to donate during the April 6 event. The Big Red Bus can accommodate approximately 8 to 9 donors, with 4 donating at a time.
Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as donor chairs become available. Schedule an appointment.
Get ready to give blood
Unlike when you go in for blood tests, fasting before donating blood is NOT needed – or recommended. Here are the top 3 things you should do before donating:
- Eat a healthy well-balanced diet with good sources of iron a few days prior to your donation
- Drink plenty of water
- Bring your Identification (Driver’s license or picture ID)
Find out more about preparing.
Fun facts about blood
- Every two seconds of every day, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
- There are eight different blood types, with each one holding unique characteristics to save lives.
- The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. About 45 percent of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57 percent) and African Americans (51 percent).
- Only 7 percent of people in the U.S. are type O negative, so it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
- Blood only has a shelf life of 42 days.
- The Big Red Bus® is run by the nonprofit organization OneBlood. Find out more about OneBlood.
More Recent Healthcare News
In our latest Clinic of the Future video update, CEO Mark Driscoll is joined by Andrew Colburn, the Clinic’s Radiologic Technologist, for an early look at the new imaging rooms that will save hundreds of patients from having to drive off the island for hard-to-get imaging appointments. Last week marked an exciting milestone as the […]
The Big Red Bus is Coming to Boca Grande on April 9
March 24, 2026Every two seconds of every day, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Donating blood saves lives, and we all intrinsically know this. However, according to the American Red Cross, less than 3 percent of age-eligible individuals donate blood each year. The Boca Grande Health Clinic and Crews Bank & Trust are sponsoring a blood donation […]
What Happens When Your Doctor Recommends a Specialist?
March 18, 2026The Boca Grande Health Clinic is the first stop for many residents and workers seeking care, from routine checkups to serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and complex infections. Each year, we manage thousands of visits, and in 2025 alone, the Clinic referred about 1,500 patients to specialists. Referrals are an important part of […]
A Bird’s-Eye View of the Clinic of the Future
March 13, 2026Drone footage from this week shows continued progress on building the Clinic of the Future. The roof tiles are now in place, exterior painting is nearly complete, and the construction trailer has been removed as grading work begins around the building. Early landscaping is also starting to take shape. Construction remains ahead of schedule, and […]