Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross supply drops 25%

Donors urged to give as extreme heat, travel plans threaten already low blood levels

√ $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for coming to give in August

Submitted by the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.

Heat impacted more than 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together, these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.

“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”

The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31 will get a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

Who donations help

Juanita McClain, the president of Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo, knows firsthand how important a readily available blood supply is, having received multiple blood transfusions as part of a lifelong battle with sickle cell disease. From birth until the time she was in her early 20s, McClain, a mother, author and educator, estimates she was in the hospital to receive treatment for sickle cell on an almost monthly basis – receiving multiple blood transfusions, surgeries and much more. McClain has gone on to serve as an advocate not only for herself, but her fellow warriors with the founding of the Buffalo chapter of Sickle Cell Warriors, helping to raise awareness for the genetic blood disorder that affects more than 100,000 patients across the U.S., and the importance blood donation plays in treatment.

You can learn more about Juanita McClain and her Warrior story here.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Erie County

•Amherst

Aug. 26: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., University at Buffalo North Student Union, 50 Lee Road

Aug. 28: 1-6 p.m., Main Transit Fire Department, 6777 Main St.

•Buffalo

Aug. 7: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 14: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

Aug. 14: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 22: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road

Aug. 27: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Rich Products Corp., 1 Robert Rich Way

Aug. 28: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Clarence

Aug. 13: 1-6 p.m., Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place

•East Aurora

Aug. 6: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Moose Lodge 370, 905 Main St.

•Elma

Aug. 29: 1-6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1230 Bowen Road

•Getzville

Aug. 27: 1-6 p.m., St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church Father Weber Center, 1700 N. French Road

•Grand Island

Aug. 8: 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Grand Island Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road

•Hamburg

Aug. 7: 1-6 p.m., VFW Post 1419 – Hamburg, 2985 Lakeview Road

Aug. 8: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Revive Wesleyan, 4999 McKinley Parkway

Aug. 29: 1-6 p.m., Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St.

•Irving

Aug. 20: noon to 4 p.m., SNI Cattaraugus Community Building, 12767 NY-438

•Kenmore

Aug. 21: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kenmore Mercy Hospital, 2950 Elmwood Ave.

•Marilla

Aug. 31: 8 a.m. to noon, Marilla Community Center, 1810 Two Rod Road

•Orchard Park

Aug. 16: 1-6 p.m., St. Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S. Abbott Road

•Springville

Aug. 21: 1-7 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

•West Seneca

Aug. 20: 1-6 p.m., Union Fire Co., 1845 Union Road

•Williamsville

Aug. 10: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Gregory the Great, 100 St. Gregory Court

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Aug. 7: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

Aug. 13: noon to 6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

Aug. 21: 1-6 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co. Firehall, 5666 Transit Road

•Middleport

Aug. 12: noon to 5 p.m., Middleport Firehall, 28 Main St.

•Newfane

Aug. 19: 12:30-6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main St.

•Niagara Falls

Aug. 17: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., St John de LaSalle, 8477 Buffalo Ave.

More 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 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 follow on social media.