Get your heart pumping and give blood or platelets to help prevent a summer blood shortage

Chance at ‘Shark Week’ merchandise package for those who come to give, thanks to Discovery

Submitted by the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross and Discovery are partnering for “Shark Week,” and invite people to dive in to help save lives by giving blood or platelets in July.

The Red Cross saw a steep drop in blood and platelet donations last month, and donors are asked to make appointments now to prevent a blood shortage this summer.

In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. Here in the Western New York Region, 15% less donations were made than expected. When less people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies.

Thanks to Discovery, all who come to give blood or platelets in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive “Shark Week” merchandise package that includes:

√ Beach bike

√ Smokeless portable fire pit

√ Paddle board

√ Kayak

√ $500 gift card to put toward accessories

Those who come to give July 21-24 will get an exclusive “Shark Week” T-shirt from Discovery, while supplies last. Details are available at rcblood.org/sharkweek.

By making and keeping blood and platelet donation appointments in July, donors can connect with patients through a lifesaving gift. To book a time to give, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 7-31:

Erie County

•Amherst

• July 8: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• July 13: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• July 16: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• July 20: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive
• July 27: noon to 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

•Buffalo

• July 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Conversion Monster, 500 Seneca St.
• July 14: noon to 5 p.m., Travelers Insurance, 60 Lakefront Blvd.
• July 27: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 4200 Genesee St.
• July 27: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.
• July 29: 1-6 p.m., Delaware Family YMCA, 2564 Delaware Ave.

•Clarence

• July 25: 1-6 p.m., Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place

•Grand Island

• July 19: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road

•Hamburg

• July 23: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave.
• July 26: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway
• July 28: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St

•Lancaster

• July 28: noon to 5 p.m., Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway

•Orchard Park

• July 18: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 26 Thorn Ave.

•Tonawanda

• July 9: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.
• July 21: 2-7 p.m., Eldredge Bicycle Club, 17 Broad St.

•West Seneca

• July 12: noon to 5 p.m., West Seneca Public Library, 1300 Union Road

•Williamsville

• July 19: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ss Peter & Paul R.C. Church, 5480 Main St.

Niagara County

•Lewiston

• July 22: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.
• July 29: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mount St Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road

•Lockport

• July 12: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.
• July 25: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lockport Family YMCA, 5833 Snyder Drive
• July 26: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.
• July 27: 1-6 p.m., Moose Lodge No. 617, 204 Monroe St.
• July 28: 1-6 p.m., Wrights Corners Fire Co. Station 1, 4043 Lake Ave.

•Newfane

• July 25: 1-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

• July 25: 1-6 p.m., Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave.

•North Tonawanda

• July 30: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., One Church North Tonawanda, 958 Nash Road

•Youngstown

• July 19: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 3rd St.

Blood Drive Safety

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a 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 pre-donation 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.

Amplify Your Impact − Volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

For more information and to apply for a either position, email [email protected], call 716-886-7500 or visit https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday.

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 nonprofit 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.