Red Cross issues urgent call for blood donors

Press release from the American Red Cross:

An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities this summer in Buncombe County:

July Blood Drives

7-12-18  Laurels of Summit Ridge,  100 Riceville Road

7-12-18  Brookstone Church, 283 Merrimon Ave.

7-14-18  Wal-Mart in Weaverville

7-15-18  Brother Wolf,  31 Glendale Ave.

7-18-18  Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College

7-19-18  Turkey Creek Baptist Church, 2206 Bear Creek Road, Leicester

7-24-18  Beverly Hills Baptist Church, 777 Tunnel Road

7-24-18  Ridgecrest Conference Center, 1 Ridgecrest Drive, Black Mountain

7-26-18  Black Mountain Fire Department

7-26-18  MAHEC  121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

7-28-18  Lowe’s of West Asheville

7-31-18 City of Asheville , Public Works Building

August Blood Drives

8-1-18  Berrington Village,  1 Overton Way

8-1-18  Leicester Volunteer Fire Department, 2852 New Leicester Hwy.

8-2-18 United Way, 50 S. French Broad Ave.

8-5-18 Calvary Baptist Church,  531 Haywood Road

8-8-18  Charles George V.A. Medical Center

8-9-18 Change Healthcare, 300 Ridgefield court, suite 308

8-13-18  Ingles Markets, 863 Brevard Road

8-14-18  State Employees’ Credit Union , 111 Smokey Park Hwy

8-15-18  Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center

8-17-18 Lowe’s Tunnel Road

8-17-18 Brian Center Health & Rehabilitation,  Weaverville

8-23-18  Wal-Mart Super Center,  125 Bleachery Blvd

8-29-18  Diamond Brand Outdoors Hendersonville Rd

8-30-18 UNC Asheville-Sherrill Center

8-30-18  Chick-fil-A Merrimon Ave.

Walk ins are always welcome.  Bring photo ID.  16-year-old can donate with parental consent. You do not have to know your blood type to donate.  We are in critical need of all blood types.

For more information, contact Tabitha Bagwell at 828-803-2884 or tabitha.bagwell@redcross.org.