The Big Red Bus is Coming to Boca Grande on April 9
Every 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 event on April 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Big Red Bus® will be at the bank’s parking lot at 301 Park Ave this year.
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; those who are 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 9 event. The Big Red Bus can accommodate approximately 8 to 9 donors, with 4 donating at a time.
Walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as donor chairs become available. To make an appointment for the OneBlood Big Red Bus, visit oneblood.org/donate-now to search by zip code and schedule online, or call 888-936-6283 and select option 4.
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 before your donation.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Bring your Identification (Driver’s license or picture ID)
Find out more about preparing.
The Big Red Bus® is run by the nonprofit organization OneBlood.
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