Upcoming Blood Drives
Darlington: 12/23: 12:30-5:30 p.m., American Legion, 1400 Keep St
Monroe: 12/30: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1724, 14th St
Brooklyn: 1/3: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Brooklyn Fire EMS, 401 W Main
Brodhead: 1/5: 12-5 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 405 E. 9th Ave
South Wayne: 1/7: 12-5 p.m., St. John’s Catholic Church, 202 Varnum
Footville: 1/7: 12-5 p.m., Footville Church of Christ, 117 Church Street
Hazel Green: 1/7: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Southwestern High School, 1415 Fairplay
Juda: 1/15: 1-6 p.m., Community Center, N2350 County S
Monroe: 1/19: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 2227 4th Street
Albany: 1/20: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Lions Building, 402 Cincinnati St
Apple River: 1/20: 2-6 p.m., Stagecoach Events Center, 446 E. Hickory St
Evansville: 1/21: 12-6 p.m., Creekside Place Community Center: 102 Maple St
Belleville: 1/27: 1-6 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 338 S Harrison St
Mineral Point: 1/30: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., St. Mary’s St. Paul Catholic Church, 224 Davis Street
Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
MONROE — Anna Zentner of Monroe helped save lives by hosting an American Red Cross blood drive and earned a $1,500 scholarship through the Red Cross Leaders Save Lives program.
Zentner, a senior at Monroe High School, organized a blood drive at the United Methodist Church in Monroe on July 28, where 77 donations were collected. By hosting the drive, she was entered into a scholarship drawing and selected as a winner. She also received a gift card for her efforts.
Zentner plans to pursue a nursing degree after graduating in May 2026. She played a key role in coordinating the summer blood drive through student senate and uses her Red Cross CPR and first aid certification as both a lifeguard and a certified nursing assistant at Monroe Clinic Hospital. Since her freshman year, she has volunteered at blood drives and leading her own as a sophomore, reinforced the critical need for blood donations.
“Hosting blood drives has given me the chance to give back to a community that has always supported me,” Zentner said. “Every donor’s story reminds me why this work matters. It has shaped who I am and deepened my passion for helping others.”
Through planning and coordinating volunteers, Zentner strengthened her leadership and communication skills while building meaningful connections with donors and Red Cross staff. She encourages other students to host drives of their own and looks forward to organizing more in the future.
The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions.
Students can sign up to host Leaders Save Lives blood drives during seasonal timeframes throughout the year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/LeadersSaveLives.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
