Press release from American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply.
Blood donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.
As much of the country warms up this week, individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all those who come to give Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.
The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like recent weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care. You can donate at the following convenient locations in Buncombe County:
Thursday, February 1, 2024
11 AM – 4:30 PM
Target, Parking Lot, American Red Cross Bus
115 River Hills Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Monday, February 5, 2024
1 PM – 5:30 PM
Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
301 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
11:30 AM – 4 PM
Plasticard Locktech International, Parking Lot, American Red Cross Bus
605 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Thursday, February 8, 2024
1 PM – 5:30 PM
Asheville Community Blood Drive, Asheville Blood Donation Center
100 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Monday, February 12, 2024
1:30 PM – 6 PM
West Buncombe Fire Department, Training Room
549 Old Country Home Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
10:30 AM – 4 PM
UNC Asheville, Highsmith Student Center, Alumni Hall
1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
Thursday, February 15, 2024
10:30 AM – 4 PM
UNC Asheville, Highsmith Student Center, Alumni Hall
1 University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
Monday, February 19, 2024
10 AM – 2:30 PM
Omni Grove Park Inn, Heritage Ballroom
290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Battle of the Badges
First Baptist Church, Gym
5 Oak St, Asheville, NC 28801
Thursday, February 22, 2024
11 AM – 3:30 PM
The Rotary Club of Asheville
Trinity Episcopal Church, Fellowship Hall
60 Church St, Asheville, NC 28801
Saturday, February 24, 2024
10 AM – 3 PM
Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church,, Fellowship Hall
100 Carroll Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
3 PM – 7:30 PM
Hominy Baptist Church, The Ministry Center, Fellowship Hall
135 Candler School Rd, Candler, NC 28715
New Blood Donor Rewards program
Since announcing an emergency blood shortage earlier this month, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross is pleased to launch an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors will now earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.
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