WASHINGTON – Howard University is partnering with the American Red Cross to support critical blood donations over the next two months. The #SleevesUp #BleedBlue drive encourages all current and former Howard Bison to roll up their sleeves to give the lifesaving gift of blood. Help Howard University reach its goal of donating 100 units of blood by Feb. 14.

Every day, blood donors help save the lives of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, cancer patients and more than 90,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood annually. 

To sign up, visit the Howard University donor page to find your nearest Red Cross donor center. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.

Blood donations are needed now more than ever. People who are recovered from COVID-19 may be able to Fight It Forward. Blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies can be used to provide convalescent plasma transfusions for currently ill COVID-19 patients. Blood donors receive results, at no cost, within one to two weeks after donation.

“As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of 2020, let’s recognize our individual and collective power to effect change,” said Carla Williams, Ph.D., interim director of the Howard University Cancer Center. “One way to begin is to give the lifesaving gift of blood. One donation can save up to three lives.”

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.