Local Sports Calendar

The American Red Cross is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.  Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma this month will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email.

Red Cross Blood Drive Dates:

March 3, Monday, Mattoon YMCA, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

March 4, Tuesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM

March 14, Friday, Cornerstone Church, Effingham, 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

March 17, Monday, Effingham Event Center, 2:00 - 6:00 PM

March 21, Friday, Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 , 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

March 24, Monday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin, 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

To make an appointment and learn more about your health, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

** As always, donors should NOT fast for this.  The A1C test is not affected by recent food and drink.**

Donors can expect to receive the results of their test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or online donor portal, and they are encouraged to consult their health care provider if their A1C level is elevated.  A1C is the latest health insight that the Red Cross provides to blood, platelet and plasma donors, who can already access ongoing donation information such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and hemoglobin levels.

One-third of people lack access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the CDC.  The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being.  This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services among other assistance.

According to the CDC, some 90% of people living with diabetes in the U.S. have type 2, a largely preventable and often reversible insulin-resistant condition that can cause dangerously high blood sugar levels.  Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as kidney failure, stroke and heart issues.  “Type 2 diabetes develops over years and may not cause obvious symptoms until serious damage has been done,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross.  “By understanding our own health, we can create a foundation to help prevent chronic illness, improve the quality of day-to-day living and save lives.  Blood donation can now be part of that journey.”