Kroger, Hilton sponsor area Red Cross blood drives

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The American Red Cross is organizing several drives to help the blood supply that often declines in during the holiday season and to relieve potential shortfalls due to Sandy's impact on the East Coast.

Also needed are platelet donations . Among those in need of platelets are patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant.

Hilton Blood Drive on Friday, Nov. 9

The Hilton Hotel in downtown Fort Wayne at 1020 South Calhoun Street is hosting a blood drive on Friday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Olympia Papenbrock at 260-420-1100 or check out redcrossblood.org.

Donors at the Hilton can enter to win a dinner for two at Cut'z Restaurant, located in the Hilton.    

Kroger Blood Drive Nov. 19-24    

Kroger announced on Thursday they are sponsors in The Great Turkey Escape Blood Drive at Red Cross donor centers in Fort Wayne and Goshen, Nov. 19 – 24.

Kroger reminds potential donors that the American Red Cross relies on them to maintain a steady and consistent blood supply for local patients. In the Fort Wayne area, 500 blood donations are needed every day to ensure there is enough for patients to receive the blood they need.

Donors at the Great Turkey Escape Blood Drive at Red Cross donor centers in Fort Wayne and Goshen can enter to win a $50 Kroger and Scott's gift card and a Thanksgiving Turkey. A winner will be drawn every day.

Donors will also be entered into a region-wide drawing for a $500 shopping spree.

Donors can donate blood or platelets at the following locations:

Fort Wayne Donor Center
1212 E. California Rd., across from the Memorial Coliseum

• Monday, Nov. 19 and Tuesday, Nov. 20: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 21: noon – 6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lutheran Hospital Donor Center
7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107, in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital

• Monday, Nov. 19 through Wednesday, Nov. 21: noon – 6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24: 6 a.m. – noon

Goshen Donor Center
1123 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen

• Monday, Nov. 19: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Wednesday, Nov. 21: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 23: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 24: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Red Cross Disaster Relief

The Red Cross is also still urging people to donate money to help people affected by disasters like Sandy.