Red Cross supply drops 25%, Donors urged to give
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive life saving medical care.
Heat impacted more than 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.
“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”
The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities through August 31:
Monroe
Brockport
* 8/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Brockport Fireman’s Exempt Club, 248 West Ave
* 8/29/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., State University of New York at Brockport Seymour College Union, 350 New Campus Drive
Churchville
* 8/21/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Riga Town Hall, 6460 Buffalo Road
Honeoye Falls
* 8/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Center, 167 North Main Street
Penfield
* 8/16/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Town of Penfield, 2130 Penfield Road
* 8/23/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA Eastside, 1835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd
Rochester
* 8/15/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/16/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Pius Church, 3000 Chili Ave
* 8/17/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 351 Joseph Ave
* 8/17/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Henrietta Recreation Center, 605 Calkins Road
* 8/19/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/20/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/20/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gates Public Library, 902 Elmgrove Road
* 8/21/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Holy Cross Church, 4492 Lake Ave
* 8/22/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/23/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/24/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal MI, 116 Campbell St
* 8/24/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Northwest YMCA, 730 Long Pond Road
* 8/26/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Planet Fitness - Henrietta, 3333 W Henrietta Rd
* 8/27/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/28/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Amazon, 2600 Manitou Rd
* 8/28/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chili Community Center, 3237 Chili Ave.
* 8/29/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
* 8/30/2024: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Laurelton Fire Department, 405 Empire Blvd.
* 8/31/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 1040 University Ave
Spencerport
* 8/16/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ogden Community Center, 269 Ogden Center Road
Webster
* 8/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 818 Ridge Road
* 8/29/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd
Livingston, Ontario, Wayne
For more information and additional counties; Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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