PRESS RELEASE:
While thousands of people from across the country responded to the emergency request for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, a critical blood shortage remains. The Red Cross urges eligible donors to give now to help ensure blood is available throughout the rest of the summer to meet patient needs.
At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to have a five-day supply at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that may require significant volumes of donated blood products.
“The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.”
Every two seconds
In the U.S., every two seconds someone like Ray Poulin needs blood or platelets. Poulin’s liver and kidneys failed following a serious blood infection. The situation became urgent when his liver hemorrhaged. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. After receiving 77 units of blood, Poulin defied the odds.
“There was a lot that went into saving my life, but if the blood wasn’t available when I needed it, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Poulin.
Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
All blood types urgently needed
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to help restock the shelves. The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets between July 25 and Aug. 31 by emailing them a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.
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). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 27-Aug. 15
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
Crossnore
7/29/2016: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Williams Academy, 100 Dar Drive
Buncombe
Asheville
7/31/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St.
8/5/2016: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Genova Diagnostics, 84 Peachtree Drive, Suite 200
8/7/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road
8/11/2016: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Highsmith Student Center, 1 University Heights
8/12/2016: 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Charles George V.A. Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road
Black Mountain
7/28/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Black Mountain Fire Department, 106 Montreat Road
8/4/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road
Cherokee
Murphy
8/8/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Shepherd of the Mountains, 68 Fairfax Lane
Haywood
Clyde
8/3/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Haywood Regional Medical Center Health & Fitness Center-Classrooms, 75 Leroy George Road
Waynesville
7/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way
8/4/2016: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 566 South Haywood St.
8/8/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Haywood County Clerk of Court, 285 N Main St.
8/15/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Masonic Lodge Waynesville, 435 East Marshall St.
Henderson
Fletcher
8/14/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Riverstone Community Pool, 294 Roanoke Road
Hendersonville
8/9/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Mud Creek Baptist Church, 403 Rutledge Road
8/15/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 203 2nd Ave. East
Jackson
Sylva
7/28/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Southwestern Community College – Burrell Building, 447 College Drive
8/5/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Jackson County Department on Aging, 100 County Services Park
Macon
Franklin
7/28/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Millie’s Used Books/Sheffield Bldg., 1781 Georgia Road
McDowell
Marion
8/2/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., YMCA Marion, 1388 Sugar Hill Road
8/6/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s 1922 Marion, 480 US Highway 70
8/7/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Concord United Methodist Church, 8066 Old Linville Road
8/13/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church, 214 P.G. Baptist Church Road
Old Fort
8/9/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 203 East Main St.
Mitchell
Bakersville
7/30/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Gouge Elementary school, Gouge Elementary School, 134 Laurel St.
Spruce Pine
8/2/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mike Brown Subaru – Spruce Pine, 10992 South 226 Highway
8/15/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, 125 Tappan St.
Polk
Mill Spring
7/31/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Big Level Baptist Church, 4868 Big Level Road
Rutherford
Cliffside
8/13/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Cliffside Masonic Lodge, Old Main St.
Transylvania
Brevard
8/12/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lowe’s of Brevard, 119 Ecusta Road
8/15/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sacred Heart Parish, 4 Brian Berg Lane
Yancey
Burnsville
7/29/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Yancey Senior Center, 603 Medical Campus Dr.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Anderson
8/8/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chili’s Anderson, 3801 Clemson Blvd.
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.
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