American Red Cross hosting Red, White & You blood drive

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The American Red Cross is hosting the Red, Wichita & Blue blood drive on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Although the time slot to donate blood on Sunday has already passed, you can still donate from 12 to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at the Sedgwick County Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st St. N.

The American Red Cross is accepting walk-ins, but scheduling an appointment online can expedite your time.

"We'd like to get you in and out," said American Red Cross District Manager for East Kansas for Donor Recruitment Michelle Pressnell. "It takes about an hour to give blood, and we try to keep you here just about that long. We don't want you to have to wait."

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Christopher Leirer was a first-time blood donor at the Red, White & You blood drive. He says he felt called to do his part and help out with those in need.

"I think just that anybody coming out to donate that will allow countless people to be able to, you know, get the help that they need and, you know, get the assistance, and the more blood they have, the better that they can, the more people they can help," said Leirer.

All blood donors receive a Red, White & You T-shirt and a ticket to the Sedgwick County Zoo.

"If you come out and give, not only are you going to get to save a life with your donation, but you get entered in to win a drawing. It's a raffle for a $100 gift card, and we'll announce it at the end of each day of the drive, and we have three winners for each day," said Pressnell. "If you come in and give tomorrow or on Tuesday, you get entered to win a Dodge pickup truck."

You can donate blood at the American Red Cross outside of a blood drive. Visit redcrossblood.org for more details.