Urgent need for blood donors; Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures

Press release from the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

 Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.

Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Buncombe County Jan. 8-31: 

Arden

1/19/2024: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lowe’s 2201 Arden, 19 McKenna Road, Arden, NC 28704

Asheville

1/10/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801

1/23/2024: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Charles George V.A. Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805

1/25/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Blue Ridge Power, 105 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

1/26/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS, 21 Restaurant Ct, Asheville, NC 28805

1/29/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Living Savior Lutheran Church, 301 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC 28803

Black Mountain

1/10/2024: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Black Mountain Primary, 301 East State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711

1/12/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711

1/25/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Mountain Ridge Wellness Center, 611 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711

Candler

1/25/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Francis Asbury UMC Gym, 725 Asbury Road, Candler, NC 28715

Swannanoa

1/18/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Valley Hope Church, 115 Rockdale Ave, Swannanoa, NC  28778

Weaverville

1/12/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Remax Results Weaverville, In Honor of Kathy Chieco and Families of Cancer Survivors, 115 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787

1/22/2024: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Building, 85 North Main Street, NC 28787