ST. GEORGE — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the year. Several locations in Southern Utah will be hosting blood drives for the remainder of the month.

More than 1.6 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, and 246,600 of them will be invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.  

Mary Kay Huppert was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was a nurse for 40 years. I saw blood transfusions save a lot of lives,” Huppert said, adding she received two transfusions herself while being treated for breast cancer.

The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood donations every day to help patients, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors of all blood types are needed.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Washington County

• Hildale | Water Canyon School, 250 E. Newel Ave. | Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Hurricane | Sky Mountain Chapel, 452 N. 2600 West | Oct. 26, 2-7 p.m.
• St. George | St. George Blood Donation Center, 467 E. Riverside Drive, Ste. B6
  • Oct. 17, 1-6 p.m.
  • Oct. 20, noon-6 p.m.
  • Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Oct. 24, 1-6 p.m.
  • Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Oct. 31, 1-6 p.m.
• St. George | Dixie State University, Gardner Student Center, 225 S. 700 East | Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• St. George | Snow Canyon High School, 1385 N. Lava Flow Drive | Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Iron County

• Cedar City | Southern Utah University, Hunter Conference Center, 351 W. University Blvd. | Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Beaver County

• Beaver | Beaver High School, 195 E. Center | Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App,visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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 or prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or on Twitter at @RedCross.

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