Red Cross issues emergency call for blood and platelet donations

Press release from American Red Cross:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (July 5, 2016) — The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated they have vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.

Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.

Who Blood Donations Help

Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products to patients like 11-year-old Mae Rainey, who needs regular blood transfusions as part of her treatment for a blood disorder.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities that the Red Cross has given us to get her to her healthiest state,” said Caleb Rainey, Mae’s older brother.

Watch Mae’s story to learn how blood donations can make a lifesaving difference.

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, July 5 through July 25:

 American Red Cross Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
Monday, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursday, 2 to 7 p.m.; first Saturday of the month, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 Avery 

Linville

7/14/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cannon Memorial Hospital, 434 Hospital Drive, Sloop Medical Office Plaza Oak Room

Asheville

7/6/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Green Man Brewery, 23 Buxton Ave.

7/23/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jim Barkley Toyota, 777 Barkley Toyota

Candler

7/20/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Hominy Baptist Church – The Ministry Center, 135 Candler School Road

Weaverville

7/17/2016: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., First Baptist Church of Weaverville, 63 North Main St.

Andrews

7/11/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut St.

Clyde

7/9/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Crabtree United Methodist Church, 5405 Crabtree Road

7/14/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oak Grove Baptist Church, 39 Robinson Road

Waynesville

7/11/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s 0470 Waynesville, 100 Liner Cove Road

7/12/2016: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Longs Chapel Church, 175 Old Clyde Road

Hendersonville

7/8/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lowe’s of Hendersonville, 1415 7th Ave. East

7/13/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Highway.

7/18/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 203 2nd Ave. East

7/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., YMCA Hendersonville, 810 6th Ave. W. 

Sylva

7/21/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Harris Regional Hospital, 68 Hospital Drive

7/22/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s 2257 Sylva, 1716 North Main St. 

Franklin

7/21/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church Franklin, 69 Iotla St.

Marion

7/19/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., McDowell Tech College, 54 College Drive

Columbus

7/15/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tryon Estates, 617 Laurel Lake Drive

Tryon

7/18/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 150 Melrose Ave.

Rutherfordton

7/12/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gilkey School Community Center, 217 Gilkey School

Bryson City

7/6/2016: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Swain Community Hospital, 48 Plateau St.

Cherokee

7/13/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cherokee Indian Hospital, Hospital Road

Brevard

7/16/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 325 North Broad St.

7/20/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Brevard City Employees, 95 W. Main St.

7/24/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Brevard Wesleyan Church, 801 North Broad St.

Lake Toxaway

7/23/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lake Toxaway Fire & Rescue, Highway 281 N.

 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.