Red Cross: Help tackle need by giving blood or platelets

Get in the fall spirit – come to give for a new Red Cross campfire mug Sept. 3-7

Submitted by the Red Cross

As fall approaches, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood and kick off the season with a blood or platelet donation. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them.

While summer winds down, the Red Cross is concerned the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant and a potentially active hurricane season may further challenge the ability to collect and meet hospital demand. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen the number of blood donors coming to give drop by nearly 10%. This decline in donors is believed to be due to multiple reasons, including the continued effects of the pandemic on blood drive cancellations and donor availability as well as back-to-school preparations for many families.

Make a game plan to donate – patients are relying on the kindness of blood and platelet donors for their continued treatment. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the blood donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 3-7 will receive a new, 16-ounce Red Cross campfire mug, while supplies last.

Donors who come to give throughout the month of September will receive a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Erie County

•Amherst

• Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 1, 8, 15; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive.

•Buffalo

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
• 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Seneca One, 1 Seneca St.
• Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at The Station Buffalo, 1185 Sweet Home Road
• 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Hangar Building, 1 Naval Park Cove

•Grand Island

• 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Grand Island Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road

•Tonawanda

• 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

Niagara County

•Lockport

• 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.
• 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Moose Lodge No. 617, 204 Monroe St.

•Newfane

• 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

Health Insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross blood donor app and the online donor portal at www.RedCrossBlood.org.

Blood Drive Safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

How to Donate Blood

Simply download the American Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the blood donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their predonation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the blood donor app.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, 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 deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit on Twitter at @RedCross.