American Red Cross says blood donations down in June, calls for donors

From the American Red Cross:

Red Cross issues emergency call for blood and platelet donors

Blood donations down about 10 percent in June

Buncombe County, NC (July 9, 2013) – The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July.

“We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now,” said Delisa English, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for these patients in need.”

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

ASHEVILLE BLOOD DONOR CENTER
100 Edgewood Road, Asheville
Please call 1-800-RedCross to schedule an appointment.

For the whole month of July:
Drawing for 2 Saturday Passes to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough TN!
Drawing for 2 DollyWood Tickets!

Every Monday 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Every Tuesday 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Every Wednesday 7:30 am to 12:30 pm
Receive a $10 Neo Burrito Gift Certificate!
Thursday, July 11, 18 and 25 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday, July 12 7:30 am to 12:30 pm

Community Blood Drives

Monday, July 15
New Hope Community Church Blood Drive
105 Whitson Avenue, Swannanoa
1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Jeanette Cothern at 989-3187.

Thursday, July 18
Ridgecrest Conference Center Blood Drive
1 Ridgecrest Drive, Black Mountain
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 669-3592.

Thursday, July 18
Black Mountain Fire Department Blood Drive
106 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
10:30 am to 4:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Friday, July 19
Blue Ridge Pharmacy Blood Drive
948 Tunnel Road, Asheville
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 298-3636.

Saturday, July 20
Woodland Hills Church Blood Drive
50 Woodland Hills Road, Asheville
10:00 am to 2:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Pam Irby at 258-3888 extension 314.

Sunday, July 21
Asheville Jewish Community Center Blood Drive
236 Charlotte Street, Asheville
12:00 pm to 4:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Samantha Holcombe at 230-6322 or go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: jccasheville.

Tuesday, July 23
Skyland United Methodist Church Blood Drive
1984 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
3:00 pm to 7:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the church office at 684-7283.

Monday, July 29
Reuter Family YMCA Blood Drive
3 Town Square Boulevard, Asheville
3:00 pm to 7:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Lindsey Sease at 651-9622.

Tuesday, July 30
Beverly Hills Baptist Church Blood Drive
777 Tunnel Road, Asheville
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Betty Fox at 299-9233.

Wednesday, July 31
Biltmore Church of Christ Blood Drive
823 Fairview Street, Asheville
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the church office at 274-2829.

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012.

June can be among the most challenging months of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they adjust to summer schedules. High school and college blood drives account for as much as 20 percent of Red Cross donations during the school year. Donations from those who usually give at these drives drop by more than 80 percent when school is out for the summer. In addition, a mid-week Independence Day holiday reduced the number of blood drives scheduled in early July. Many sponsors, especially businesses, were unable to host drives because employees took extended vacations.

The Red Cross urgently needs donations to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients all summer long. Each day, the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,600 donors to step forward and give blood. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so it’s important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.