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Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage

Submitted

Mon, Jun 28th 2021 05:30 pm

Hospital blood demand remains high as nation heads into holiday week

By the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.

Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now 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, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 28-July 15 include:

Erie County:

•Amherst

  • June 30: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • July 1: 1-6 p.m., Main Transit Fire Department, 6777 Main St.
  • July 3: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • July 7: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • July 8: 2-6 p.m., Amherst Alliance Church, Amherst Alliance Church, 3915 Millersport Highway
  • July 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
  • July 14: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

  • June 29: 2-6 p.m., Northwest Buffalo Community Center, 155 Lawn Ave.
  • June 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Parkway
  • July 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
  • July 8: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., D'Youville College, D'Youville College, College Center, 329 Porter Ave.
  • July 8: noon to 5 p.m., St. Mark's & All Saints' Episcopal Church, 256 Riverside Ave.

•Orchard Park

  • July 2: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

•Tonawanda

  • July 10: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

•West Seneca

  • June 29: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road
  • July 7: noon to 5 p.m., St. David’s Episcopal Church, 3951 Seneca St.

•Williamsville

  • July 13: 1-6 p.m., West Herr Toyota, 8129 Main St.

Niagara County:

•Barker

  • July 6: noon to 5 p.m., Lighthouse Christian Camp, 9574 Somerset Drive

•Lewiston

  • July 14: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mount St Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road

•Lockport

  • July 1: 1-6 p.m., Wrights Corners Fire Co. Station 1, 4043 Lake Ave.
  • July 2: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Rapids Volunteer Fire Co., 7195 Plank Road
  • July 13: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

  • July 14: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

  • July 1: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 401 Buffalo Ave. 

About Blood Donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. With RapidPass, donors complete the predonation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Health Insights for Donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also 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 RedCrossBlood.org.

Blood Drive Safety

The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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