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Emergency blood shortage: Flu season may further impact Red Cross supply

Submitted

Mon, Nov 8th 2021 02:50 pm

Submitted by the American Red Cross

As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood or platelets. The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.

According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the already-struggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter.

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Incentives

To encourage donors to help meet the needs of hospital patients this month, all who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email, thanks to Amazon. Restrictions apply; visit amazon.com/gc-legal.

Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 24-28) will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.

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.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities (Nov. 16-30)

•Amherst

√ Nov. 17: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

√ Nov. 20: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

√ Nov. 24: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

√ Nov. 26: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

√ Nov. 23: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University at Buffalo North Student Union, Student Union

√ Nov. 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Hamburg

√ Nov. 27: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave.

•Orchard Park

√ Nov. 26: 12-5:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, S3148 Abbott Road

•Tonawanda

√ Nov. 18: 2-7 p.m., Tonawanda Fire Department, Tonawanda Firehall, 44 William St.

•Barker

√ Nov. 30: 1-5 p.m., Faith United Methodist Church, 1449 Quaker Road

•Lewiston

√ Nov. 27: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

√ Nov. 17: 1-6 p.m., Moose Lodge No. 617, 204 Monroe St.

√ Nov. 23: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Newfane

√ Nov. 29: 1-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

√ Nov. 22: 1-6 p.m., Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave.

•North Tonawanda

√ Nov. 24: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Stephen Sikora Post American Legion, 950 Payne Ave.

•Youngstown

√ Nov. 23: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 Third St.

Save Time During Donation

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.

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.

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 who require trait-negative blood. 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.

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.

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