One-two punch of winter storms, canceled blood drives straining Red Cross blood supply

Red Cross has an emergency need for blood, platelet donors to give now

The American Red Cross is reissuing its emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now after multiple snow storms, frigid temperatures and the government shutdown further reduced lifesaving donations.

In January, more than 4,600 Red Cross blood and platelet donations went uncollected as blood drives were forced to cancel due to severe winter weather blanketing parts of the U.S., and additional cancellations are expected this week. Weather travel advisories may cause even more donors to delay their planned donations. Donors in areas affected by winter weather are asked to make an appointment now to give once it is safe to travel.

The federal government shutdown also affected donations as more than 4 percent of Red Cross blood collections come from drives sponsored by military and local, state and federal government agencies. About 30 blood drives hosted by federal offices were canceled across the country due to the shutdown, leaving more than 900 donations uncollected. 

“Disruptions to blood and platelet donations jeopardize the availability of blood for patients who depend on transfusions for survival,” said Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager, Red Cross River Valley Blood Services.  “We’re grateful for all those who have come out to give since we issued our emergency call earlier this month and now urge others to come out and give to prevent delays in essential medical care.”

Right now, Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and there is less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand. The Red Cross strives to maintain a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products.

All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urgently needed to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Donation appointments can be easily scheduled by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 29-Feb. 28

A.B. Chandler Elementary School, 11215 US 60 W. Corydon, KY 42406

2/25/2019: 1 - 5 p.m.

American Legion Hall, 425 South Main St. Ferdinand, IN 47532

2/4/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Barr Reeve High School, 627 North 3rd Street, P.O. Box 128 Montgomery, IN 47558

2/7/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Berea Mennonite Church, 216 South Main St. Cannelburg, IN 47519

2/28/2019: 4 - 8 p.m.

Castle High School, 3344 Highway 261 Newburgh, IN 47630

2/28/2019: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Christ the King Catholic Church-School, 3010 East Chandler Ave. Evansville, IN 47714

2/10/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Community Baptist Church, 1026 Pebble Creek Drive Henderson, KY 42420

2/20/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Daviess Community Hospital, 1314 East Walnut Washington, IN 47501

2/15/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Deaconess Hospital, 600 Mary St. Evansville, IN 47747

1/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Elberfeld Elementary, 45 S Fifth St. Elberfeld, IN 47613

2/28/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714

1/29/2019: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

1/30/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/1/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/2/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/4/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/5/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

2/6/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/8/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/9/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/11/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/12/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

2/13/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/15/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/16/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/18/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/19/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

2/20/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/22/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/23/2019: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2/25/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

2/26/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

2/27/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 800 West Faith Boulevard Princeton, IN 47670

1/29/2019: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Henderson Community College, 2660 South Green St. Henderson, KY 42420

1/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Holy Family Cathoic Church, 950 E. Church Ave. Jasper, IN 47549

1/30/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Holy Name Church, 511 Second St. Henderson, KY 42420

2/3/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Ivy Tech Community College, 3501 First Ave. Evansville, IN 47710

2/26/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Jasper Library, 1116 Main St. Jasper, IN 47546

2/6/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Jasper Middle School, 3600 North Portersville Road Jasper, IN 47546

2/20/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

John Paul II Catholic School, 307 South Church Street, P.O. Box 224 Morganfield, KY 42437

2/13/2019: 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Keller Williams Capital Realty, 4424 Vogel Road, 3rd Floor Evansville, IN 47715

2/22/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lincoln Trail Elementary, 13726 Indiana 245 Lamar, IN 47550

1/31/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Moose Lodge 1175, 2507 Newton St. Jasper, IN 47546

2/18/2019: 1 - 7 p.m.

Newburgh United Methodist Church, 4178 Highway 261 Newburgh, IN 47630

2/6/2019: 3 - 8 p.m.

Norris & Love / Health Pointe, 1900 Saint Charles St. Jasper, IN 47546

2/1/2019: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Perry County Memorial, 8885 IN-237 Tell City, IN 47586

2/27/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Poseyville Community Center, 60 N. Church St. Poseyville, IN 47633

2/25/2019: 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Presbyterian Church, 100 South Main St. Henderson, KY 42420

2/11/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Salem United Church of Christ Heusler, 11325 Lower Mt. Vernon Road Evansville, IN 47712

2/11/2019: 2 - 6 p.m.

Santa Claus United Methodist Church, 351 North Holiday Boulevard Santa Claus, IN 47579

1/31/2019: 1 - 6 p.m.

Sisters of St. Benedict, 802 East 10th St. Ferdinand, IN 47532

2/18/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

South Spencer Middle School, 1298 N County Rd 275 W. Rockport, IN 47635

2/25/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 625 Frame Road Newburgh, IN 47630

2/17/2019: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

St. Matthews Catholic Church, 421 Mulberry St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620

2/24/2019: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.

St. Meinrad School of Theology, 200 Hill Drive Saint Meinrad, IN 47577

2/5/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5564 Saint Raphael St. Dubois, IN 47527

2/10/2019: 8 a.m. – noon

Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 211 North Vine St. Haubstadt, IN 47639

2/14/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

Tropicana, 421 NW Riverside Drive Evansville, IN 47708

2/13/2019: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Washington Junior High School, 210 NE 6th St. Washington, IN 47501

2/15/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

William Tell Elementary School, 1235 31st St. Tell City, IN 47586

2/25/2019: 2 - 7 p.m.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.

About the American Red Cross:

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

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